So we all want to be sure and tune in to an upcoming episode of the TV show called "The Doctors"--because on that show will be Moebius mom Danielle Templer and family, including her son Maddox, who has Moebius Syndrome. This is a great thing; hopefully this can continue to build awareness concerning Moebius Syndrome.
What's "The Doctors"? You can read more about it here. Its website informs us that the show "is co-hosted by ER physician Dr. Travis Stork, plastic surgeon and
reconstructive surgery expert Dr. Andrew Ordon and pediatrician Dr.
James Sears; along with recurring co-hosts, OB-GYN Dr. Jennifer Ashton,
urologist Dr. Jennifer Berman, and family doctor and sexologist Dr.
Rachael Ross", and that it seeks to provide "the most up-to-date information regarding your health and wellness, as
well as news-making medical stories that may affect you or your family.
The Doctors strive to enlighten viewers with simple ways to attain and
maintain good health."
I messaged Danielle a few days ago and asked her how their appearance on this show came about. She told me that what happened was that someone on the staff of the show happened to see a media story online about her family and her son; they contacted the Templers, and soon the appearance on the show was arranged. Danielle admitted to me that she was "scared to death" of being on TV (as would I be!!!), but they've done it; the show has been taped, and it be on TV beginning March 24th. Check your local listings for times and channels.
As I mused about this, once I heard about it, it occurred to me that the Templer's appearance has important lessons for us. 1] Undoubtedly the show found out about Maddox through media stories that appeared around the time of Moebius Syndrome Awareness Day. See, that's why it's so important for us to get our story out there, to contact your local paper or TV station when the time is right and tell your story. You never know what it might lead to; and you never just how much it could build awareness.
2] Absolutely doing this kind of thing CAN be scary. It's hard to put yourself out there with people (especially media members) whom you don't know. It's scary to go on TV and have those cameras staring at you, thinking that thousands, even millions, might see you. But you know what? It's okay to be scared. Even the bravest people in the world, the persons who have done the most courageous things, have been scared.
3] No, rather, the important thing--don't let that stop you. I applaud the Templers, and everyone else who has done this same kind of thing (don't for example forget about my friend Kelsey Ferrill from Canada, who was on CBC in January) for their courage in being willing to go on TV and tell their story, and for helping to raise awareness of Moebius Syndrome and thus raising peoples' consciousness concerning all kinds of physical and facial differences, really. By doing these kinds of things, more will realize that, yes, we're different; but we're people too and we're valuable, just as we are.
And so we raise awareness, one day at a time.
I wish I could have seen this show.
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