#FaceMyBeauty Part II

Images by: Debbie Markham

Yesterday I introduced you to the amazing organization Changing the Face of Beauty and the important work they are doing for people with disabilities in advertising. Read it HERE

Today I wanted to explore what the campaign means to me as a WOMAN.

The #FaceMyBeauty Campaign is amazing, bringing attention to the much needed representation and acceptance of people of all abilities in advertising.

When Katie first launched her video it made me think about all the resistance women have to face themselves without judgment, as is in this particular moment. It is difficult to look at yourself with acceptance and resist the urge to dream about yourself 10 pounds from now, your next social media filter you can use or more money from now and how much  better you will "look and feel". We all know it is bullshit yet it is still hard to face yourself, perceived flaws and all and accept who you are and what you look like this moment.

I took images with my son Blake who has Down Syndrome in an effort to start a discussion about this campaign and realized that it isn't just about people who have perceived disabilities.

I can tell you that I've been there, done that, bought the t-shirt and am literally wearing it in these photos. My battles with self esteem and body image have been hard won and sometimes is still a work in progress. I have survived abusive relationships, countless heart breaking names, labels, betrayals and experiences and you can too! The road to becoming better instead of bitter begins with facing all of the negative and CHOOSING to move forward in a positive manner. I did it by converting my pain into power.

Necklace: Lydell NYC / Shoes SJP Collection "Carrie" / T-shirt: CTFOB

I decided to FACE MY OWN BEAUTY and remove all I did to "enhance" or "conceal" myself and removed my makeup. Below is one of the videos I shared on my instagram story.

I removed my makeup and chose to face my beauty in a natural way. 

What I am:

I am 37

I am a mother of 2 (plus 2 step-kids)

I am an "Ability Parent" to a son with Special Needs

I am Tried

I am curvy

I am happy

I am authentic

I am confident

I am Facing my beauty

What I am not:

I am not a sample size

I am not bag, dark circle or line free

I am not ashamed

I am not in my 20's

I am not wanting to be younger

I am not afraid to Face My Beauty.

Are you?

Share your  makeup/makeup free photos with me on social media tag me @evolutionvtg (twitter/Instagram) or Facebook

Love, Lisa

XO

#FaceMyBeauty Part 1

Images: Debbie Markham

This hashtag says it all, #FaceMyBeauty and to me it says it is high time society gets real and faces the beauty of all of its members and not the select air brushed few.

My friend and fellow Ability Parent Katie Driscoll created a non-profit organization called Changing the Face of Beauty who  (CTFOB) is committed to equal representation of people with disabilities in advertising. 

Katie and I met when your babies and their designer genes were the inspirations behind Tori Spelling's Little Maven clothing campaign's Holiday Lookbook in 2013. 

I have watched her idea of fighting for inclusively for people with disabilities in advertising evolve into a fabulous non-profit and now into this amazing #FaceMyBeauty campaign!

Our definition of beauty is so narrow as represented by advertisers current choice of models. It is my belief (and Katie's) that there is room for EVERYONE just as there is something truly beautiful about everyone. My son Blake who has Down Syndrome is no exception. I would love to see his community represented more in advertising and all other communities of people with disabilities. My goal as an advocate and parent is to celebrate differences and not the generic 'sameness' that I see all too often in our society. 

DID YOU KNOW: Less than 1% of the approximate 125 million companies in the world represent people with disabilities in their advertising.

Time for a change.

How can we get there?

1) Reach out to companies and ask them to represent everyone in their advertising and/or partner with CTFOB

2) Make a Donation / Buy a T-shirt and represent!

3) Host /Sponsor a head shot clinic in your city/town ($3-$6,000)

4) Engage with the disability community to join the conversation when discussing diversity. Advertising is an important area.

5) SHARE - Links, Videos, This Blog on your social media and introduce CTFOB with your social media circle.

6) LIKE them on FACEBOOK - INSTAGRAM - TWITTER - Share their posts and interact.

Blake and I stand with CTFOB and the #FaceMyBeauty Campaign!

 The movement to me also is very applicable to women of all ages, sizes, shapes and races. Tomorrow I will explore the ramifications to women and self esteem as we deny, hide or cover up our Beauty!

Time to FACE IT ladies!

Let's ASK the company RADIO FLYER, Are you ready to Change The Face Of Beauty with us?

Children of ALL abilities should be represented enjoying their products, like Blake.

Who's ready to #FACEMYBEAUTY?