In today’s digital age, social media has become the primary means of communication for many people. It’s customary to share pictures of your children with family and friends for their enjoyment.
Like many other new mothers, Natasha enjoys posting pictures of her one-year-old son Raedyn on social media. However, she’s faced with severe cyberbullying due to her child’s appearance, which sets her apart from most other moms.
Despite the negative comments on her photographs and the way her child is treated online, Natasha has something to say about her experience as a mother.
Natasha shares videos of herself and her son Raedyn on the popular social media platform TikTok, but she receives dozens, if not hundreds, of comments from people asking her to stop posting photos and videos of her child.
Despite the criticism, Natasha has a powerful message for her detractors: “I will not stop… He is perfect, even though he may look different from other children,” she explains.
Natasha has received countless letters and comments asking, “What is wrong with your child? Why does your child look like that?” However, she remains steadfast in her decision to share her son’s photos and videos on social media.
Raedyn was born with Pfeiffer syndrome, a rare genetic disorder that causes limb, facial, and skull malformations. Despite his condition, Natasha sees her son as perfect and shares footage of him online whenever possible.
However, the majority of comments Natasha receives are harsh and insensitive. For instance, on TikTok, someone asked in a rude manner, “What kind of life will he have?” while another commented, “Why would you make him live like that? What a horrible existence you are allowing him to lead!”
As if online trolls weren’t vicious enough, Natasha also faces similar comments from people in real life. She alleges that when she’s out in public, people approach her and ask disrespectful questions like, “What’s wrong with your child?” and “Why does your child look like that?” Natasha rightfully feels that such questions are not how one should address a human being.
Natasha finds it challenging to appear in public due to the inevitable barrage of inquiries she faces. “It’s stressful to explain my son’s health issues repeatedly,” she says. It’s hard for her to comprehend the degree of attention her son receives due to his appearance. She believes that he lives the same life as any other child, and while he may look different, it doesn’t make him any less perfect.
Natasha is a fierce advocate for her son and his right to life and acceptance. “I will fight until my last breath for this,” she proclaims. However, she dislikes when strangers approach her out of nowhere and start asking personal questions about her son. She wishes people could understand that her son is just like any other child and deserves the same love and acceptance.
Natasha wants people to understand that she is just a mother, and her child is just a baby. “Our lives do not revolve around his illness,” she explains. She dislikes when strangers approach her with questions about her son while she’s going about her business.
“We are a typical family,” Natasha asserts. “I hope that one day, the world will embrace individuals with disabilities and not judge them based on their appearance or abilities.”
It’s disheartening to see that in this day and age, people still feel the need to criticize those who are different from them. We can only hope that society becomes more inclusive and compassionate towards all individuals.