Newborn Left Alone by Parents – Woman’s Unexpected Response Goes Viral

When Jono Lancaster was born, his parents decided not to take him home from the hospital. He was diagnosed with Treacher Collins syndrome, a rare condition that affects the face and hearing. Because of his condition, they believed he would need a lot of medical care, like surgeries, and they were not ready for that. Sadly, just a few days after birth, Jono was abandoned by the people who should have loved him most.

In the days that followed, social services worked hard to find him a family. Luckily, a woman named Jean stepped in. As soon as she saw Jono, she knew he belonged with her. “How could you not love a child?” she said. “When can I take him home?” was the next thing she asked.

Jono shared his story at the National Organization for Rare Disorders (NORD) Breakthrough Summit in 2015. “I was born with a genetic condition that affects my facial features,” he explained. “I have no cheekbones, and my eyes dip down. I love my little ears because they don’t get cold at night, but I need hearing aids. I’m one of the lucky ones. Some kids need help with feeding and breathing, and some have had more than 70 surgeries.”

Talking about Jean, Jono says, “She adopted me on May 18, 1990, so I get two birthdays! I used to tell other kids that my mom went to the hospital, looked at all the babies, and chose me, while their parents were just stuck with them.”

Jean tried many times to contact Jono’s birth parents, but they refused to have anything to do with him. Jono, now 36, struggled with bullying because of his appearance for most of his life.

“As a teenager, I started to wonder, ‘Why me?’ I thought about my birth parents. Parents are supposed to love you no matter what. I wondered, ‘Who will want me?’” he said. “I began to hate my face and avoided looking at myself, even in windows. I was ashamed.”

But something happened that helped him regain his confidence. While working as a bartender, people stared at him and commented on his looks. One day, a tough customer, a “skinhead” with big muscles, came in. No one wanted to serve him, but Jono stepped up. The man asked, “What’s up with your face?”

“I was born with Treacher Collins syndrome,” Jono explained. The man replied, “Okay.” Then Jono added, “I’m deaf,” and showed him his hearing aids. The man joked, “Do they come with an off switch? My wife never stops talking. If I could switch her off like you, I’d be lucky!”

For the first time, someone laughed with Jono, not at him. That moment reminded him to focus on the good things in life.

Today, Jono has a partner and works as a motivational speaker. He helps young children with the same syndrome learn to accept and love themselves.

“What’s changed?” Jono says. “People are still the same. My parents still want nothing to do with me. But my attitude has changed, and that’s powerful. I used to let negative energy bring me down, but now I believe in myself. I wouldn’t change anything. The right attitude can help you achieve anything.”

We are happy that Jono learned to love himself for who he truly is.