Dear Observers,
This is a gentle reminder: your bewildered expression isn’t doing you any favors.
Take a moment. Stand before a mirror. Close your eyes and recall a time when you felt completely perplexed. Picture that moment. Now, open your eyes and see the face you made. Not your best look, right?
I know this because it’s the same face we encounter repeatedly when we’re out in public—a puzzled, unwelcoming expression that can feel quite off-putting. My mission is to raise awareness among those who fixate on my child and others: your confused face can be an ugly face, and together we can work towards a kinder world.
Imagine walking through life and consistently encountering that expression when making eye contact with others. Disturbing, isn’t it?
Then, when you realize you’ve been staring, your recovery face appears—often even worse than the initial one. It seems like a frantic scramble to mask confusion with an awkward smile.
After witnessing this countless times, I feel compelled to interpret your gaze. With that stare, you might as well be saying, “I can’t quite grasp what I’m seeing. Is this safe? This is far beyond my understanding!”
Let’s pause for a moment: What year is this? Diversity has been a topic of discussion for decades, and wheelchairs and differences are not new concepts. If these are unfamiliar to you, perhaps it’s time to expand your horizons.
For the sake of the children (and for my own sanity, let’s be honest), let’s work on our facial expressions. Want to make a positive impact? Start by mastering your expressions.
It may sound challenging, but don’t worry—I’m here to help! Thanks to years of watching amazing educators like Tyra Banks on shows such as America’s Next Top Model, I can assure you that altering your expressions is entirely possible with some effort.
So, let’s practice together. The next time you encounter something unexpected:
Instead of this face:
