My husband, James and I are the proud
parents of 5 beautiful children. Our youngest are twin 2
year old girls, and are the inspiration and motivation
behind this company. One of our twins, Sydney, was born
with a Craniofacial condition known as Treacher Collins
Syndrome which causes underdevelopment of the facial
bones, thereby creating difficulties in breathing,
eating by mouth, speech and hearing. Sydney spent the
first 4 months of her life in the NICU where she
received a tracheotomy to allow her to breathe, and a
feeding tube placed in her stomach. She also had
her first of many reconstructive surgeries. Tissue
was taken from behind her ears and grafted to create
lower eyelids enabling her to better close her eyes and
protect them from permanent damage. Sydney faces many years of reconstructive procedures, and although it
breaks my heart to know she will have to endure these
difficult procedures, she is a bright, happy, and
determined little girl. Because of her amazing
personality and spirit, I know that she will handle
these surgeries better than most of us would. She
is an inspiration to our family, and to all she comes in
contact with, she reminds us of what is important in
life and that outward appearances are not what make a
person, but rather beauty comes from within.
The
Shoes
When the twins were
learning to walk, they received a pair of squeaky shoes
as a gift. Our first experience in public with these
adorable shoes was a family trip to Disneyland. It was
amazing the attention they attracted, and the question
that always followed was "Where did you get those".
They also came in handy keeping track of twin toddlers
who were just learning how to walk, and were constantly
trying to venture away from the group. After seeing the
popularity of these squeaky shoes, I decided a squeaky
shoe business venture would not only be worthwhile, but
also an awesome vehicle to support the mission of the
organizations associated with Treacher Collins Syndrome
and Craniofacial Conditions, which I am so passionate
about. These groups work tirelessly not only
in providing support to those individuals and family
members affected by these conditions, but also in
helping raise public awareness and acceptance of those
individuals with facial differences. The
Children's Craniofacial Association proclaims, "Beyond
the face is a Heart". Beyond any facial and
physical differences, these
precious children are all the same. They just want
to be loved and accepted, not stared at and made fun of.
I am so honored to be a parent of a child with facial
differences. Sydney has taught myself and my
family so much, and continues to amaze us everyday.
When I look at her, I don't see facial differences, I
see a beautiful little girl, and it brings a smile to my
face every time. I am blessed to have these
wonderful organizations as support systems for my
daughter and family and am thrilled to be able to give
back to each one of them and help them make a difference
in the lives of those individuals affected with
Craniofacial conditions.
For more information about Craniofacial
Conditions please visit :
many years of reconstructive procedures, and although it
breaks my heart to know she will have to endure these
difficult procedures, she is a bright, happy, and
determined little girl. Because of her amazing
personality and spirit, I know that she will handle
these surgeries better than most of us would. She
is an inspiration to our family, and to all she comes in
contact with, she reminds us of what is important in
life and that outward appearances are not what make a
person, but rather beauty comes from within.
The
Shoes
these
precious children are all the same. They just want
to be loved and accepted, not stared at and made fun of.
I am so honored to be a parent of a child with facial
differences. Sydney has taught myself and my
family so much, and continues to amaze us everyday.
When I look at her, I don't see facial differences, I
see a beautiful little girl, and it brings a smile to my
face every time. I am blessed to have these
wonderful organizations as support systems for my
daughter and family and am thrilled to be able to give
back to each one of them and help them make a difference
in the lives of those individuals affected with
Craniofacial conditions.