In our world today, it seems like success means being ahead of everyone else while also blending in. If you happen to be different or don’t quite fit in, people might call you “weird” or “strange.”
This way of thinking is pretty upsetting because it focuses too much on appearances and how we measure up to others.
Take Jono Lancaster, for example. He’s just like everyone else, but he has faced some really tough moments that show how unkind people can be.
Jono Lancaster was born in England in October 1985, but he was different from the other babies in the hospital.
He had Treacher Collins syndrome, which is a rare condition that affects how facial bones grow, making them uneven. When the doctors explained this to Jono’s parents, they also said he might never be able to walk or talk. This news was overwhelming for Jono’s parents, and sadly, they decided to leave him behind.
“When I was born, my parents were in total shock. I was out of the hospital 36 hours after I was born. Social services found someone to look after me. The foster carer was a lady called Jean,” Jono recounted at the 2015 Nord Conference.
When Jono was just under two days old, his parents decided to put him up for adoption and then vanished. The hospital reached out to Social Services, and a kind woman named Jean Lancaster came to his rescue and raised him.
When Jean first saw the tiny baby, she wasn’t frightened or surprised. Instead, she picked him up and felt an immediate connection. She turned to the nurse and asked, “When can I take him home?”
From the very beginning, Jean showered Jono with the love and care that every child deserves, and he couldn’t have asked for a more loving and dedicated mom.
However, even with Jean’s amazing support, Jono’s early life was tough because many people outside didn’t seem to understand his situation.
When Jono arrived at school, he began to notice things about himself. He soon realized that he didn’t look like the other kids in his class.
“I kind of felt like I was on my own and I felt like I was the only one out in the world that was like me. People are lucky enough to win the lottery or they become professional footballers, doctors, lawyers but I thought, ‘Why did I have to end up looking like this?’” Jono said in an interview with Adelaide Now.
It’s really important to understand that Treacher Collins syndrome doesn’t change how smart a child is. Jono’s classmates only focused on his appearance. They would often run away and make funny faces, claiming they didn’t want to catch his “disease.”
“I used to hide how unhappy I was from my mom. She had already done so much for me,” he told the BBC in an interview.
Jono didn’t want to back down or let the people who doubted him succeed. He had an amazing woman supporting him through it all.
Jono’s foster mom, Jean, worked hard to bring him back together with his real parents. But when they kept sending her letters back for five years, she decided to take action and officially adopted Jono on May 18, 1990.
“So I get two birthdays! I used to tell other kids that my mom went to the hospital and she looked at all the babies and she chose me, whereas their parents had been stuck with them,” Jono said at the 2015 Nord Conference.
Jono will never forget his foster mom – which he made very clear in an emotional Facebook post from 2015.
This woman might be a bit shorter than most, but she has the biggest heart of anyone I’ve ever known. For 30 years, she has been a foster caregiver, pouring her love into so many kids. Every time a child moved to a new home, she would cry because she felt like she hadn’t done enough for them. Even though she was a single mom in her 40s, she took a chance on me without knowing what the future would bring. She adopted me and, along with Claire and Stephen, created an incredible family for me. This woman is truly an angel, sent to me when I needed help the most.
This angel’s name is Jean, my mum, my hero.”
Jono was a pretty rebellious teenager. He often did crazy things just to get noticed. It was his way of hiding what really bothered him: how he looked. He drank a lot and even tried to win people over with candy so they would be his friends.
“I felt so alone.”
But thanks to Jean’s love and support, along with his own determination, Jono chose to turn his life around and help others instead.
Now at 36, Jono spends his time helping people all over the world who have Treacher Collins syndrome. He also works as a team leader for adults with autism.
He connects with kids, offering them encouragement and understanding, while also discussing their challenges with their parents. Right now, Jono is an inspiring teacher who often shares his experiences with Treacher Collins syndrome.
“My parents still don’t want to be part of my life,” he explains. “What’s different now is my mindset, and that’s what really matters. […] I wouldn’t change a thing. My mindset held me back more than anything else. With the right mindset, you can accomplish anything.”
One of the kids Jono helps is two-year-old Zackary Walton from Australia.
Even at such a young age, Zackary has faced bullying. But with Jono by his side, he has found a lifelong friend.
When he mentioned he was visiting Australia, we realized we had to get together with him, and it brought us so much joy to watch Zack meet someone like him,” said Sarah Walton, the boy’s mom, to Adelaide Now.
When Jono and Zackary first met in November 2014, they shared a photo on Facebook, and it’s really heartwarming to see.
Jono Lancaster wife
In 2015, Jono met Laura Richardson when he was working as a fitness instructor.
They quickly fell in love, and Laura accepted Jono just the way he was. She recognized his true self, and together they worked to share happiness and positivity with everyone around them.
Before meeting Laura, Jono believed that if he ever wanted kids and a family, he would have to consider adoption.
“I’ve always dreamed of being a daddy. I crave father and son moments – my adoptive mum was absolutely amazing but I never had a father figure in my life, and that’s something I really, really want. I want to do the school run, take my child to dance, gymnastics or football – whatever they want,” Jono told BBC in 2011.
Jono believes that any child he has could have a 50% chance of being born with Treacher Collins syndrome. Just thinking about having a child made him feel a mix of emotions, morals, and doubts. Even though Jono was born pretty healthy, many kids with Treacher Collins face serious health issues, and some can’t even breathe on their own.
So, Jono started to think that maybe adoption would be the best choice.
“It worked out great for me, and I think giving a child a second chance is amazing. But Laura feels like she has this strong desire to carry a baby, and she worries that it might be tough for her to care for a child that isn’t hers – or that the child might want to find their biological parents,” Jono explained. He added, “Also, she really wants our child to feel like ‘ours.’ I just want to be there for her when she’s pregnant, like having her relax on the couch or running downstairs at 2 a.m. if she craves pickles.”
Sadly, Laura and Jono never had kids. After ten years together, they decided to split up and move on. Jono explained the decision on Instagram and stated:
Laura and I spent 10 incredible years together, but we realized it was time to part ways because we weren’t growing as a couple anymore. We have a lot of respect for each other, and it wasn’t about looks at all.
Some of his fans were really supportive and tried to look on the bright side, telling Jono that something positive could come from a breakup.
Jono replied, “I don’t think breakups can ever be made to sound good. It was really painful.”
Check out Jono’s story in the video below. I guarantee it will move you.
Jono’s story is really sad, but it’s also super inspiring to see how strong and brave he is. He uses his experiences to support other kids who are going through similar challenges.
I really want Jono’s story to reach more people. It’s important not just to motivate others, but also to bring hope and confidence to those who really need it. Everyone could use a little inspiration sometimes.
Nobody should be judged, bullied, or treated unfairly because of how they look! If you agree, please share this article!