Diner Sheshe

"When I was born, my parents immediately knew there was something wrong with my face. Several consultations later, the specialists found out I had a rare disease. I had my 1st surgery when I was just 40-days-old! Unfortunately, the doctors botched it & I lost movement on the left side of my face.But even then, my parents didn't treat me any differently than my brother-we got scoldings & affection equally. But when I was 3, my aunt asked my mom to not enroll me at a school thinking I won't be able to handle the pressure. But mom didn't pay any heed.

School was a whole new world. In class, I was isolated from the rest of the kids. And once, when I auditioned for a play, the teacher selected everyone but me; I was in the 8th grade. Alone, I'd just draw & paint. My art teacher would tell me, "Don't bother about the bullies; focus on yourself!" She was the 1st person outside home who looked beyond my face & encouraged me. I felt heard.

Apart from art, I was also into fashion. As a kid, I'd drape mom's scarves around my body & do ramp walks for my family! It was my dream to be a model. I knew I'd never fit in, but I still gave it a shot. I sent my portfolio to modeling agencies, but got apology emails in return. It was disheartening-I stopped going out, the rejection came at a cost of my morale.

Finding a job was difficult too-they said my face would 'disturb' people at work. So I looked for backend jobs & eventually became an investment banker.

As I grew older, my friends got married while I was single; I tried my hand at dating apps but nothing worked out-I upset a few people while others ghosted me. But at least now I knew that if somebody accepted me, they'll be in for the real me!
Humans of Bombay, Fb