Past me would’ve been too scared to post this anywhere. But current me? I don’t let it slow me down. And I wanted to share a little encouragement with you all today.
I was bullied for most of my childhood because of this condition. I was called countless names and often hid my face, using my hair to cover my eye. Even as an adult performer, I parted my hair to one side for years just to hide. People encouraged me to show my face, but I just couldn’t bring myself to.
The truth is, I let the words of those kids dictate how I felt about myself as an adult.
Then one day I realized something: most people are too busy worrying about themselves to care about us the way we think they do.
When I was 18, one of my former bullies came to my house to apologize for how she treated me in middle school. She told me she made fun of me because she was jealous—she thought I was prettier than her, and that my singing voice outshined hers in choir. So she chose to attack the one thing she thought could bring me down: my eye.
That moment taught me something powerful: I had been letting someone else’s insecurity define how I saw myself.
After years of therapy, healing, and inner child work, I can honestly say I’m more confident now than I ever was in my so-called “prime youth.” Bullying leaves scars, but those scars don’t have to run our lives.
So I want to remind you: you are important. This physical limitation doesn’t define you. It doesn’t need to stop you from laughing with friends, being fully present in the world, and enjoying life.
And if you carry wounds from bullying, I encourage you to start the process of healing them. Inner child work has been one of the most powerful tools for me; it helps soften the old pain and lets you reclaim your voice and your joy.
Don’t let the hurt of the past turn you into someone you were never meant to be.
I’d love to hear from you. What’s one way you’ve found healing or strength through living with Duane’s?
Sending you all love and blessings,
Michele Vreeland
https://www.facebook.com/reel/720053067749820