EPISODE · Oct 23, 2025 · 28 MIN
How can we change what it means to have a facial difference?
from Reflections · host Ramya Amuthan, Grant Hardy
Grant Hardy speaks with experts and advocates in the facial difference community to answer key questions about facial differences, attitudinal barriers, societal stereotypes, and appropriate media representation. Kate Gies is the author of “It Must Be Beautiful To Be Finished” and shares how growing up trying to fit other people’s standards caused her to experience medical violence. Author and advocate Chelsey Peat tells us about her journey of self-acceptance, and the importance of sharing her own lived experiences in her advocacy work. Phyllida Swift is the CEO of Face Equality International who provides her perspective on the attitudinal barriers facing the facial difference community and how her organization can support those who face these barriers. Comedian David Roche joins Grant to talk about how representation in media, on stage, and online is crucial for everybody, not just the facial difference community. A facial difference can be defined as a congenital (from birth), acquired (after birth), or episodic (comes and goes) condition or syndrome that physically alters a person's face or neck area. But that definition doesn’t truly capture the lived experiences of people with facial differences in a society that values conformity. How can we challenge our perceptions, expectations, and stereotypical ideas of people with facial differences? What can we do better? Listen to these stories full of both negative and positive experiences to learn how society can become more educated and equitable for those with facial differences. About AMI AMI is a media company that entertains, informs and empowers Canadians with disabilities through three broadcast services — AMI-tv and AMI-audio in English and AMI-télé in French — and streaming platform AMI+. Our vision is to establish AMI as a leader in the offering of accessible content, providing a voice for Canadians with disabilities through authentic storytelling, representation and positive portrayal. To learn more visit AMI.ca and AMItele.ca. Find more great AMI Original Content on AMI+ Connect with Accessible Media Inc. online: - X /Twitter @AccessibleMedia - Instagram @AccessibleMediaInc / @AMI-audio - Facebook at @AccessibleMediaInc - TikTok @AccessibleMediaInc - Email [email protected] Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
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What this episode covers
Grant Hardy speaks with experts and advocates in the facial difference community to answer key questions about facial differences, attitudinal barriers, societal stereotypes, and appropriate media representation. Kate Gies is the author of “It Must Be Beautiful To Be Finished” and shares how growing up trying to fit other people’s standards caused her to experience medical violence. Author and advocate Chelsey Peat tells us about her journey of self-acceptance, and the importance of sharing her own lived experiences in her advocacy work. Phyllida Swift is the CEO of Face Equality International who provides her perspective on the attitudinal barriers facing the facial difference community and how her organization can support those who face these barriers. Comedian David Roche joins Grant to talk about how representation in media, on stage, and online is crucial for everybody, not just the facial difference community. A facial difference can be defined as a congenital (from birth), acquired (after birth), or episodic (comes and goes) condition or syndrome that physically alters a person's face or neck area. But that definition doesn’t truly capture the lived experiences of people with facial differences in a society that values conformity. How can we challenge our perceptions, expectations, and stereotypical ideas of people with facial differences? What can we do better? Listen to these stories full of both negative and positive experiences to learn how society can become more educated and equitable for those with facial differences.
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How can we change what it means to have a facial difference?
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