He meets children, gives them hope and support, and talks to their parents about their situation. Currently, Jono works as an inspirational teacher, often talking about Treacher Collins syndrome.

“My parents still want nothing to do with me,” he says. “What’s changed is my attitude, and that’s what’s so powerful. […] I wouldn’t change any of it. My attitude was more disabling than anything. With the right attitude, you can achieve anything.”

One of Jono’s mentees is two-year-old Zackary Walton from Australia.

Despite his young age, Zackary has already been bullied. In Jono, however, he has had a friend for life.

“When he said he was coming to Australia, we knew we had to meet him and it’s made us so happy to see Zack meet someone like him,” the boy’s mother, Sarah Walton, told Adelaide Now.

When Jono and Zackary met for the first time in November 2014, this picture was posted on Facebook — and it’s just so lovely to see.

Jono Lancaster wife

In 2015, Jono met Laura Richardson while working as a fitness instructor.

They fell in love, and Laura embraced Jono and his condition. She saw him for who he was, and the couple teamed up to spreading positivity and smiles around them.

Until Jono met Laura, he always thought he would turn to adoption if he would have children and start a family.

“I’ve always dreamed of being a daddy. I crave father and son moments – my adoptive mum was absolutely amazing but I never had a father figure in my life, and that’s something I really, really want. I want to do the school run, take my child to dance, gymnastics or football – whatever they want,” Jono told BBC in 2011.

According to Jono, any child he fathers has a 50% chance of having Treacher Collins. So just the thought of having a child of his own caused a wave of emotions, morals, and self-questioning. Even though Jono was born relatively healthy, many children with Treacher Collins suffer severe medical problems, and some are born unable to breathe.

So maybe adoption was the best option, Jono thought.

”It worked really well for me, and giving a child a second chance, I think that’s brilliant. But Laura thinks she will have those instincts of really wanting to carry a child, and she’s worried that she might find it hard to look after someone else’s child – or that the child will just want to find its natural parents,” Jono said and continued:

”Plus she really wants our child to be ‘our’ child. And I really want to look after her when she is pregnant, for her to be on the sofa, or for me to run downstairs at 2am when she fancies a pickle.”

Sadly, Laura and Jono never had kids. After ten years together, they decided to split up and move on. Jono explained the decision on Instagram and stated:

”Myself and Laura shared 10 amazing years together and we decided to go our separate ways as we weren’t growing together as a couple. Nothing but mutual respect there and had nothing to do with appearance.

Some of his followers showed sympathy and tried to focus on the positive, encouraging Jono that something good can come out of a broken relationship.

”I don’t think breakups can ever be spun into sounding good. It was heartbreaking,” Jono answered.

Hear Jono tell his story in the video below. I promise it won’t leave you untouched.

Although Jono’s story is heartbreaking, it’s also incredibly uplifting to see his strength and courage and how he uses it to help other children in the same situation.

I really hope we can help Jono’s story get more attention. Not just to inspire others, but also to give hope and confidence to others who need it. Because we all need some inspiration now and then.

No one should ever be judged, bullied, or discriminated against because of their appearance! Share this article if you agree!