Podcast Release Date: August 15, 2024

This podcast is made possible through support from the Integra Foundation, committed to improving lives.

On this month’s myFace, myStory podcast episode host, Dina Zuckerberg, is joined by Chelsey Peat, born with Sturge-Weber Syndrome, and recently published author of her memoir, Two Sides to a Face. She will share her journey from childhood, marked by curiosity and challenges due to her condition, to her current achievements and advocacy work within the facial differences community. She hopes to serve as a beacon of hope, encouraging deeper understanding and acceptance for all who feel marginalized due to their physical appearance.

Read about our guest below the video: 

Chelsey Peat was born with Sturge-Weber syndrome, a rare condition that led to multiple surgeries, including a life-saving brain surgery as an infant. Despite doctors predicting significant limitations, Chelsey has defied these expectations throughout her life. She graduated from high school and college, and she is currently pursuing a degree in sociology alongside a certificate in Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion.

With nearly 40 years of personal experience living with a facial difference, Chelsey has faced and overcome numerous challenges, including discrimination and stigmatization. Her deep understanding of these issues is reflected in her work with various organizations where she educates and advocates for individuals with facial disfigurements, differences, and disabilities.

Chelsey’s debut publication, “Two Sides to a Face,” offers an inspirational narrative of her life. This memoir details her journey from childhood, marked by curiosity and challenges due to her condition, to her current achievements and advocacy work within the facial differences community. The book explores themes of self-acceptance, self-love, and resilience, highlighting pivotal moments that shaped her identity and empowered her to embrace her imperfections.

Through personal anecdotes and her role as a mentor and public speaker, Chelsey’s story in “Two Sides to a Face” is not just about overcoming a facial difference, but about transforming adversity into advocacy. Her journey serves as a beacon of hope, encouraging deeper understanding and acceptance for all who feel marginalized due to their physical appearance.