Face It: Facial Disfigurement and My Fight For Face Equality

by James Partridge

James Partridge was eighteen years old in 1977 when his face and body were severely burned in a car accident. Refusing to succumb to society's expectations, James chose not to hide in the shadows, but to succeed despite his distinctive face and live a happy and hugely successful life, both personally and professionally. Face It tells the story of James's recovery and the work he has done ever since to support others with physical differences to cope with the isolation and discrimination they so often face. It is also a manifesto for for how others who look different can take control of their destinies, and how the world can accept, respect and value people with facial differences without resorting to stereotypes and stigma, despite the psychological, cultural and social barriers that so often stand in the way. James's infectious positivity in the face of adversity cannot fail to inspire. In a world where looking perfect is seen as the key to success and happiness, this is a joyous, celebratory book that looks prejudice in the eye and refuses to blink.

Genres: Disability, Nonfiction, Memoir

435 pages, Kindle Edition

Published July 5, 2020

Reviews

[Maya Poppenberger · Rating 5 out of 5]

das (hör)buch war zwar recht lang, aber es bekommt no doubt 5 🌟
ich leg das buch wirklich jedem ans herz!

das war gleich 3-in-1
1.) eine beeindruckende autobiografie von james partridge, der mit 18 jahren eine schwere körper- und gesichtsverbrennung überlebt hat. er beschreibt seinen langen und auch leidvollen weg, zurück ins selbstständige leben, wie er gelernt hat, sein neues gesicht und die reaktionen anderer zu akzeptieren und daraus letzten endes neue stärken zu ziehen

2.) sein bericht über die gründung der non profits "changing faces" und "face equality international", und die vielen, vielen impacts, die damit gemacht wurden. er hat sich unermüdlich für die entstigmatisierung, gleichberechtigung und repräsentation von menschen mit "not perfect faces" eingesetzt.

3.) ganz viel (wissenschaftlich fundiertes) wissen über die notwendigen sozialen strategien und tips für menschen mit "not perfect faces", sowie deren angehörigen und alle, die stigma und vorurteile gegenüber menschen mit sichtbaren behinderungen oder narben haben.

[Carly Findlay · Rating 5 out of 5]

Disclaimer: I wrote for Face It and I endorsed it.

FACE IT: Facial Disfigurement and My Fight for Face Equality is an excellent resource for people with facial differences, and for people without. James Partridge has used his personal situation to better the world - helping people with facial differences be seen, be accepted, be free from discrimination and love ourselves. This book will change lives - I am all the better for finding James and Changing Faces, and I know readers will feel the same.

James died in August. I was devastated by the news of his death. I wrote a tribute to him here. https://carlyfindlay.com.au/2020/08/1...

[Chelsey Peat · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent book, especially for anyone curious about the face equality movement. The whole facial differences community has a key piece that James left before he passed. His book is not only enlightening, but also educational as he works towards advocacy for those with facial differences and disabilities. This is a definite read for anyone curious about facial differences, and face equality, what a Legacy James!