Featured Image Credit: Caters
Topics: Sex and Relationships, Food and Drink, US News, Health, Mental Health
Shola Lee
Topics: Sex and Relationships, Food and Drink, US News, Health, Mental Health
A man who faced challenges finding love after being born without a jaw is now married.
Joseph Williams from Chicago was born without a jaw - a condition known as otofacial syndrome.
As well as having to go through multiple surgeries and physical challenges, the 42-year-old has also had to strengthen his mental health against the unwarranted opinions of others.
However, despite how 'people would never have expected me to get married', Joseph tied the knot with his partner in 2020, opening up about his journey up to this point.
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Joseph explains he was a twin but 'the other baby passed away before [they] were born' and his condition 'came as a shock' to his birth mother.
So much so, at just a couple of days old he taken from his home in Illinois and checked in for 'multiple surgeries' as well as being put up for adoption.
"I had a bone and skin graft as they tried to construct a jaw for me, but as I grew my body rejected it and it was unsuccessful," he recalled, adding he was later adopted.
Growing up was 'hard' and there are certain aspects of Joseph's day-to-day life where he has to take his condition into consideration, such as blending his food and putting it through a tube which feeds through his stomach.
He also has a tube in his neck to help him breathe and uses sign language to communicate - having been taught at the age of two.
"However, since then I have also found other ways to help me communicate such as making notes and typing into my phone," he adds.
And his condition didn't stop him from communicating with and getting to know Vania.
The pair met at work and started off as friends before eventually falling in love and getting married in 2020.
"I'm sure people would never have expected me to get married. To be honest, I didn't think I would either," Joseph said.
But, realising that he 'deserved more' led to him finding his future wife and is hopeful about the future.
"Being born without a jaw has given me a different outlook on life and it has made me who I am today."
In 2022, Joseph and Vania celebrated their two year wedding anniversary.
As he's gotten older, Joseph has learned to fully embrace himself and doesn't want to feel 'limited' by his condition - going on to become a DJ, with his X bio saying: "DJ'ing is my voice."
He said: "I understand that I am different and that some people will think I am ugly and not accept me, but I am still a person who has a heart, feelings and a brain.
"I should be treated with respect, just as anyone else should be.
"I'd rather people just come up to me and ask me questions, rather than staring or pointing."
If you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis, help is available through Mental Health America. Call or text 988 to reach a 24-hour crisis center or you can webchat at 988lifeline.org. You can also reach the Crisis Text Line by texting MHA to 741741.