r/MadeMeSmile • u/Positive_Actuary_282 • 16d ago
Good Vibes A woman with a beautiful and loving heart
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u/DeathWray 16d ago
Surely we have to have the technology to build this man a jaw. We have face transplants, chin implants, hell. I've seen ww2 prosthetics that would be an improvement. And just for clarification, I am not at all disparaging his appearance at all. I just think of we can improve his quality of life then shouldn't we?
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u/Ok_Staff9114 16d ago
I doubt the musculature and anatomy is there to support a functional jaw, and I wonder if that would really improve his quality of life vs. just making him look different. That's a lot of surgery and possible lifelong complications for something that would probably just be cosmetic.
I think it'd be different for people who lost their face later in life, with all the pain and trauma that would bring. Since he's spent his whole life this way, he may just be comfortable in his own skin.
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16d ago
[removed] — view removed comment
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u/_SahTirah_ 16d ago
It's also why many deaf people for example prefer to not go through implants since they already had adapted to a life with the use of sign language and a social circle that works very well for them. And not every case would have good results depending on the severity of it. Not everyone need a cirurgical "fix", and to be fair many times having basic accessibility already provides the qol that some people needs. There's cases and cases, if the person only suffers from a cosmetics stand point in which a surgery would bring more risk and complications than benefits there's no reason to take the risk if you can live a good life with your friends and family.
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u/Norbeard 16d ago
The man is disfigured. Yes its cosmetic but not 'just' cosmetic. All the more power to him if he doesn't desire a change but people are so damn cruel, I would 1000% get it.
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u/poppalopp 16d ago
For a lot of people with facial differences like these, the possibility of a lifetime of pain and surgeries just ain’t worth it. They’ll never look exactly the same as everyone else.
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u/SchroedingersCatnip 16d ago
Yes. I saw an interview with various people with facial conditions. Many, or most, of them reported being frequently asked why they didn't opt for plastic surgery.
Some had tried, with varying results, complications, recovery time and pain. In some cases, the issues would literally grow back (in cases of tumors, abnormal bone growth, etc.) And they'd have to start from scratch again, and again. In some cases, cosmetic surgery could risk long-term physical complications, like blindness.
In many cases, it boiled down to: "I like my life. I have friends, a job, family. Why should I spend months and years in surgery, hospital, rehab and risk chronic debilitating pain when I enjoy life as it is?"
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u/Tyr1326 16d ago edited 16d ago
Exactly. Sure, he could probably get surgery to get something that looks kind of like a jaw. But the pain, the complications, they probably wouldn't be worth it for a jaw that doesn't actually work and still looks weird. Hed get the exact same comments, except now hes got a million dollar medical bill and chronic pain. So why bother? To make other people more comfortable? Not worth it.
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u/Grade_A_Tech 16d ago
A lot of people seem to not understand how painful surgery can be, not during, but after. Muscles, tendons, and nerves don't like being moved around and, in this man's case, are no longer even built for their original, intended use. At his age, he's honestly better off as he is.
Besides, he has a unique look (I mean that in a good way).
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u/Flatman_702 15d ago
This would not a cosmetic repair. In his current state I don’t see how he could chew food, swallow, speak… sure he’s clearly getting nutrients somehow, but not being able to eat meals with loved ones (I get he’s sitting beside them but c’mon), taste beverages… the isolation that probably also comes along with this…. A prosthetic jaw that could aide with these things would be life-changing for much more than cosmetic reasons
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u/pomoerotic 16d ago
Or it could just be like a “chin hat” to deflect rude curiosity, or maybe it doesn’t affect him at all 🤷
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u/Perodis 16d ago
So I actually did some deep diving into this and turns out when he was born the doctors did actually do skin/bone grafts to try and construct a jaw for him, but his body rejected it as he grew.
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u/Kn0wnSoul 16d ago
Wait, he's born like that? I thought his jaw dropped when he first saw her
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u/PM_ME_BATMAN_PORN 15d ago
Now that's a pick-up line that would've worked on me.
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u/GrdnLovingGoatFarmer 16d ago
There was an attempt at creating a lower jaw, but his body rejected it. https://nypost.com/2022/05/19/man-born-without-a-jaw-finds-love-after-lifetime-of-pain/
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u/-sensory_overlord- 16d ago
Here’s a case where they actually did that
https://www.cbsnews.com/news/little-girl-born-without-a-jaw-doctors-create-one/48
u/Tyr1326 16d ago
In Lexis case, she had trouble breathing - so the risk of surgery was worth it for QOL. She still cant talk or eat properly. Its also unclear if they have the same condition - Lexi had a lower jaw, just one that was malformed and way too small for her face.
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u/-sensory_overlord- 16d ago
If you look him up you can see that he has a tracheostoma as well and apparently he had surgeries as a kid but they weren’t successful
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u/filthy_harold 16d ago
An under-developed lower jaw still may have enough of the necessary connective tissue for bone implants to actually function. The man in the post was born with no jaw so there's much less to work with. Another big difference is that when this man was born, a trach is all doctors could do for him. Even if he had the right parts present, the science just wasn't there to help someone like him. Performing this kind of series of surgeries now would be less effective, a child has better chances for a positive outcome because their bodies are still growing.
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u/Kay_tnx_bai 16d ago
Lets get this man hooked up with Clavicular, he’ll looksmax him into the Crimson Chin. /s
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u/nxxwhere 16d ago
If you look up his condition you will find, among pictures of the man himself, instances of people with the same condition having their jaw reconstructed. Don't know if that's maybe only possible to do for children, but it is indeed possible
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u/kittenbouquet 16d ago
So apparently there have been a number of attempts to build him a jaw, but his body keeps rejecting them.
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u/Technical-Outside408 16d ago edited 16d ago
We don't have artificial muscles yet. So maybe he doesn't want to undergo a mostly cosmetic procedure.
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u/Affectionate-Gap-761 16d ago
Even if we did, only the rich could afford it. I mean hell, we have the ability to ensure everyone who needs it has a prosthetic leg or motorized wheelchair. Yet everyday on my way to work I walk past as old man with no legs as he slowly wheels himself down the street by hand.
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u/BreadfruitLogic 16d ago
Oh for sure, we have the ability to do lots of things. The thing in the way of decreasing suffering is typically money.
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u/TheLastTreeOctopus 16d ago
So... I realize this is probably an ignorant question of sorts, but can he speak? Does he use some kind of text to speech accessibility device? I'm curious about the humor aspect. Like is he capable of telling jokes, or does he have to rely on more visual/slapstick humor?
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u/weirdmeleon 16d ago
He can't speak, he uses text to speech but it seems to work just fine for him.
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u/Red-it-sux-since-ipo 16d ago
I wonder if he ever learnt sign language? I feel like that would be the ideal starting point, but I guess text to speech is probably more convenient around most people.
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u/Lyberatis 16d ago
I've actually talked to this guy before. He cannot fully speak.
He uses text to speech, but he was able to reply with obvious yes and no sounds when asked questions that didn't require complex answers.
He's super friendly
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u/LilMissy1246 16d ago
What I wanna know is, as a baby, if he was unable to cry or scream, how did a parent know whether or not something bad was happening or if he was upset and needed to be changed or fed?
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u/Significant-Yam-4990 16d ago
He can probably cry or scream, that’s just air vibrating against your vocal cords. Your mouth is what can turn those vibrations into spoken language.
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u/Whythisisnotreal 16d ago
A completely reasonable question to ask. Not ignorant at all, except in the super literal way of not knowing something hence why you're asking.
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u/SergenteDan 16d ago edited 13d ago
Just a thought: let's stop viewing anyone who choses a person with a disability as a saint, an angel or something
EDIT: thank you for the award!
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u/Animator_Spaminator 15d ago
It drives me nuts. As someone with disabilities, these are telling me that I’m less than, and only a perfect, self sacrificing angel could ever love me. It’s ridiculous and hurtful
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u/maqij 16d ago
I came here to say this. He is a person just like you. She isn’t doing him a favor, they chose each other. Please don’t ever express things like this to people directly. It really is insulting.
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u/MasterAnnatar 16d ago
Yeah every time I see shit like this it frustrates me. Disabled people are not a charity case to fall in love with and we shouldn't treat it as if they are.
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u/EfficiencyOk4899 16d ago
For real. It makes him out to be pitiable and desperate too. Yeah he has a birth defect, it doesn’t make him less than or unworthy of love.
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u/MySpottedFrog7 16d ago
THANK YOU. I'm a teacher who works with children with disabilities and hate hearing all this "he's so lucky have her" stuff
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u/GeneralBox9901 16d ago
Yeah, I hate this. It's condescending to both of the people in the relationship.
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u/EatYourCheckers 16d ago
Yeah I know a women in a relationship with a guy with burn scars and he has to wear a wig, and she can be a real bitch.
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u/flaffleboo 15d ago
Exactly! People think they’re being kind or compassionate when they phrase things this way and “celebrate” these types of stories, but really they’re just adding more to the message that it’s not normal to fancy or fall in love with a disabled person.
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u/Positive_Actuary_282 16d ago
The man in the image is Joseph Williams, a resident of Chicago who was born with a rare congenital condition called otofacial syndrome, which left him without a lower jaw and chin.
The woman pictured is his wife, Vania Williams. The couple met in 2019 through a mutual acquaintance, quickly bonded over their shared faith and common interests, and ultimately tied the knot in 2020. Despite facing online skepticism and cruelty from internet trolls who accuse them of faking their relationship for clout, they frequently share their genuine relationship journey publicly
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u/ThanxForTheGold 16d ago
What's their shared faith?
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u/cunmaui808 16d ago
What's the so-called "clout"?
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u/Karnewarrior 16d ago
There's a lot of people around who assume any selfless, wholesome, or otherwise goodly action MUST in some way be related to self-aggrandizement and virtue signaling. I assume it's that crowd who assumes a woman couldn't possibly love a man without a jaw.
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u/Aryore 16d ago
It’s more telling of themselves and the people they surround themselves with really.
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u/rollem78 16d ago
Cynicism is the word you're looking for; the belief that people only do things for selfish reasons.
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u/HoshiYoi 16d ago
i just assume it’s bullies (read: incels, sexists) who refuse to believe women can like another human if they’re not conventionally attractive or rich asf. when actual evidence shows itself they have to assume it’s clout chasing or a prank for their own sanity (otherwise they have to realize no one likes them bc they’re a terrible human n haven’t showered in months not bc they’re not celebrity-hot)
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u/cunmaui808 16d ago
Thank you, friend - for "ELI5 'ing" me on that one, I needed that!
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u/Golden_Enby 16d ago
Reminds me of Squirmy and Grubs
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u/SoldatPitivier 16d ago
Oh thanks for the source ! I'm a little tired of these images without reference, with just some text (and an image that can sometimes be AI or without any link).
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u/main_account_4_sure 16d ago
as far as I recall, he deleted all posts with her from his personal Instagram. I assume they broke up.
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u/AnglerJared 16d ago edited 16d ago
…(sigh)
There are moments when I tell myself that something doesn’t pass the smell test, that it has to be somehow less pure and genuine than it seems. I impose a cynical attitude on people I have never met for reasons I have never truly examined.
So, I felt something smelled fishy, but then raised my arm, sniffed, and realized the stink was coming from me.
I wish these two all the happiness they deserve, and feel terrible for judging them for my own shallowness.
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u/killercell 16d ago
I can’t explain to you how you sniped me in the heart of my toxicity. Thank you.
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u/Likaonn 16d ago
Same here. Shame on me!
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u/USF4Diago 16d ago
Not me man, how much money he got?
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u/Triggered_Llama 16d ago
I want to believe man. Like how we all believed in Daigo going in against Menard in that FT10, that unwavering belief.
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u/MrBones-Necromancer 16d ago edited 16d ago
I don't think it's wrong to be skeptical of a "feel good" news article when half or more of these are complete fabrications, or are missing several key pieces of info. I don't think it's wrong to be skeptical of being fed a line. You may have been off the mark this time, but you'll be right more often than not.
Edit: Also, you were right to be skeptical. This is a nearly 5 year old story, and based on record searches they divorced.
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u/nollette 16d ago
The age of the person you located does not match. Article states she was 39 in 2019, this woman is 56 in 2026
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u/ExodusCaesar 16d ago
We are all conditioned to be cynical in this culture.
I think one of our biggest problems is a lack of faith in human goodness.
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u/TrixieBastard 16d ago
People in general are lonelier than ever, and it can be hard to believe in real human connection with no strings attached or ulterior motives if you don't have much experience with it yourself
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u/Overall-Range-8639 16d ago
That's exactly it. I feel shame because I read the headline and thought "Im middle aged and have never been able to find a partner who thinks I'm enough, and this guy can!?!". I'm physically intact. The part I'm missing is in my soul and my thought pattern.
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u/standbyyourmantis 16d ago
Hey, good job re-evaluating your toxic thought patterns! First instincts can be hard to break since they're so ingrained in us from our upbringing, so try not to beat yourself up about it too much. We can only really be responsible for our second thought and our first action.
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u/AlarmingAerie 16d ago
What's toxic about acknowledging one shouldn't have kids with someone who has a genetic disorder that can be passed down. It's coded within our DNA.
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u/Nightmare2828 16d ago
I mean, it takes an insane amount of commitment to spend your life with a disabled person of that degree. Facing medical hardship, harassement, probably other everyday/sexual hardship. Couple that with the fact this woman is extremely good looking and we know she could get just about any man she desires. Its hard to see this withou prosumptions.
But hey, its not impossible, and hopefully its all very genuine!
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u/Kaisernick27 16d ago
how does he eat?
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u/GiraffeDry437 16d ago
This was my first thought too and then how/can he talk?
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u/fraze2000 16d ago
I was wondering how he folds a sheet or a large towel.
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u/Iamheeee 16d ago
I was wondering how he closes envelopes.
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u/TrixieBastard 16d ago
- feeding tube
- AAC device or ASL
- it's fucking impossible. simply cannot be done.
- one of those water applicators with the sponge tip
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u/HumorPsychological60 16d ago
There are many ways to get nutrition that isn't oral
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u/devilcross2 16d ago edited 16d ago
Correct me if I'm wrong but complete dependence on such methods would leave the body pretty frail, won't it? He doesn't look frail in the picture. But then again it could just be the angle.
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u/ReflectedCheese 16d ago
Probably a modified sign language? And probably just using a tablet or smartphone?
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u/Karnewarrior 16d ago
Damn. Living like a king, and he still has a stronger jawline than Andrew Tate
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u/Slumdogcindarella 16d ago
Posts like this are so condescending. She is not a saint for being in a relationship with him, he is not a burden to be carried, he is a worthy human being who has value in a relationship. She should be as glad that he is with her as he should be that she is with him. Disabled people are not less valuable as partners.
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u/Cain_The_Mamagen 16d ago
Is the man able to talk without a jaw or is he fluent in sign language?
Edit: I only asked out of curiosity so it doesn’t have to be taken seriously
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u/Abyss_staring_back 16d ago
He uses sign language. If you go to the article you can see him signing. (Now is the video real? Who fucking knows anymore. 😑)
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u/fly_away_octopus 16d ago
Can we not portray interabled relationships as the fully abled member conceding to marry the poor disabled one because they’re just so good of heart?
They’re two equals who love each other. Good for both of them.
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u/effortfulcrumload 16d ago
Most people born with this cannot breath, eat or speak on their own. They require feeing cubes and lifelong hospital care.
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u/augelpal 16d ago
I know what you meant, but the idea of a feeding cube makes me giggle. It just comes bouncing up to you like Qbert every meal time...
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u/BalterBlack 16d ago
So... She has a "beautiful and loving heart" because she is dating someone ugly?
Isn't that a bit insulting?
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u/raniwasacyborg 16d ago
I was friends with a guy with this same condition in a forum I used to visit as a teenager. I can't even remember his username any more (this was going back over 20 years ago) but I hope he's doing well
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u/-ShyLuna- 16d ago
A lot of lonely people tell themselves they're unfixably ugly, making their loneliness worse. Most of these people look completely normal and just need to learn to be decent towards others.
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u/Whythisisnotreal 16d ago
It really is unfortunate that we have such visceral and unfair reactions to certain deformities. It's nice that we overall seem a bit more inclined to be kind about this than in the past.
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u/TrixieBastard 16d ago
Ugly Laws might not exist in the books anymore, but people certainly still stare, ask invasive questions (and get huffy if you decline to give them your medical history), make rude remarks, etc. That, or they infantilize us.
Very few people know how to be chill around a disabled person who is out in public just living their life
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u/Whythisisnotreal 16d ago
Do they ever talk louder to you?
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u/TrixieBastard 16d ago
Ohhhh my godddd, ALL THE TIME
They also put on that uber-cheerful tone folks use to talk to small children
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u/NewsAppropriate5035 16d ago
Woah, this ugly law is a new concept to me. I’m someone who was born with deformities (which I can luckily hide with clothes most of the time) but could this explain the immense shame I feel around it. Even around doctors or surgeons
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u/V01d_WALKr 16d ago
I think this is a biological reaction. Being overly moral about it won’t help either. It’s best to accept tragedy and adversity and work on one’s own compassion rather than blaming people that stare. virtue signalling is also just a way to make oneself better than others than actually being helpful for disabled people.
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u/stenlis 16d ago
For all of you asking about money, NYpost reports the man works as a welder https://nypost.com/2022/05/19/man-born-without-a-jaw-finds-love-after-lifetime-of-pain/
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u/Zestyclose_Rate2685 16d ago
I'm gonna say it! How much money does he have?
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u/Sufficient_Roof_6699 16d ago
That was my first thought, lol. Turns out dude’s a regular guy, works as a welder in Chicago. Can’t talk, breathes and eats through a tube, glad this man landed a baddie.
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u/swagonflyyyy 16d ago
A jaw-dropping amount.
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u/Zestyclose_Rate2685 16d ago
Well played sir. May your toilet breaks be blessed with smooth transactions.
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u/Ok-Visit-3730 16d ago
Now reverse this situation and show me hot men with such similar women.
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u/Spirited_Weird9503 16d ago
This is exactly the point I was making with “men could never.” Same idea, deliberately exaggerated for humor. Funny how much the wording changes the reaction 😅
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u/deadassstho 16d ago
maybe now incels will finally accept that it’s their own shit personalities preventing them from getting laid and not just “women bad”
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u/std_out 14d ago
It's like pointing at a lottery winner and saying poor people have no excuses now. You know its an extremely atypical case that is the exception and not the rule. If you and I had the same condition as this man, chances are we would never experience a relationship regardless of other factors.
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u/Novel-Adeptness-4603 16d ago
Sadly, they will just make up an excuse that he's rich or something to further their stance, because apparently, women are incapable of love
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u/Fun-Leave-4811 16d ago
SO HAPPY for my friend! I knew Joe back in the day from school! He is such a sweet person, not wealthy but obvious very rich in love, and I'm beyond happy for him and his wife!🥹💖🎊💖🎊💖
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u/Its-Dangity 16d ago
It’s all down to how comfortable you are with yourself and how you come across to other people.
Personally, I’m no eye catcher but I’ve always dated way above my level. I’m told that I always make light jokes at myself and treat people around me like I’m genuinely interested in them.
My wife is beautiful. A true head turner wherever she goes. And meanwhile there’s a little goblin looking dude next to her (me).
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u/SillyPhillyDilly 16d ago
Brother, same. My shadow can be confused for a beach ball. I have somehow pulled some of the most attractive people I've ever met. I'm currently dating someone who is hands down a bombshell. Triathlete, gear head, shares hobbies, absolutely adorable. People can't take their eyes off her when she's in formal dress. I'm so lucky.
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u/ScroogeMcQuacks 16d ago
I’m happy for them but I don’t get how “people love each other for non superficial reasons” is news worthy.
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u/tehluxman 16d ago edited 16d ago
not to shit on anyone's rose tinted glasses, but he IS a millionaire btw... which might change your perspective
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u/cafelicious 16d ago
Yeah I’m gonna take this random text on an image as absolute truth, just like we all do on Reddit
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u/BOSSMOPS94 16d ago
OP gave the name of him, you can google. They seem like a sweet couple.
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u/Adventurous_House961 16d ago
Lonely single men, you get a beautiful woman but you lose your lower jaw. You taking that deal?!
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u/Kind_Lobster9899 16d ago
Love seeing genuine connection like this . Wishing them both the absolute best
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u/Superb_Wealth4092 16d ago
”Despite facing online skepticism and cruelty from internet trolls who accuse them of faking their relationship for clout, they frequently share their genuine relationship journey publicly.”
Good for them, but that line gives me a big think.
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u/wandsandbroomsticks 16d ago
Not to be shallow but have we Ever seen a case with genders reversed?
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u/Fantastic-Swim6230 16d ago
I feel like every where I look, we have the makings for a thriving society that works for us all.
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