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Living Life Unapologetically: Lessons from Adam Pearson

You know that feeling when you walk into a room and everyone stares? Well, imagine that happening every single day of your life. That’s the reality for Adam Pearson, a guy who’s not afraid to make those stares count.

Adam’s got this genetic condition called neurofibromatosis type 1, or NF1 for short. It’s basically caused non-cancerous growths to form all over his face, making him look pretty different from your average Joe. But here’s the kicker – Adam’s not interested in being your typical inspirational story. He’s not here to make you feel warm and fuzzy inside. Nope, he’s living life on his own terms, and he’s doing it loud and proud.

Now, you might think having a condition like NF1 would slow a person down, but not Adam. This dude’s been in documentaries, movies, and even tried his hand at stand-up comedy. Talk about making lemonade out of lemons, right?

But wait, there’s more! Adam’s got an identical twin brother named Neil. They both have NF1, but it affects them differently. Neil’s got short-term memory loss and epilepsy, while Adam’s dealing with the physical side of things. It’s like nature decided to play a twisted game of “would you rather” with these two.

Speaking of Adam’s physical challenges, let’s break it down. He’s blind in one eye, has scarring on the other, and breathing can be a bit tricky. Oh, and did I mention he’s had 38 surgeries on his face? Yeah, you read that right. Thirty-eight. And number 39 is already in the works. Adam’s even planning a party for number 40 because why the hell not? If you’re gonna go through all that, might as well celebrate it, right?

Now, you might think growing up looking different would be tough, and you’d be right. Adam got his fair share of bullying in school. But here’s where it gets interesting – instead of letting it get him down, he decided to change his mindset. He started putting out good energy, and guess what? It made a real difference. It’s like that old saying, “kill ‘em with kindness,” except Adam was probably thinking more along the lines of “confuse ‘em with kindness.”

But Adam’s journey isn’t just about him. He’s been to places like Vietnam, where NF1 is more common and medical care isn’t as readily available. Seeing people with more severe symptoms and fewer resources was a real eye-opener for him. It made him grateful for what he has, but also fired up to do more for others.

So, what’s Adam’s game plan? He’s all about educating people on disability and having those important conversations. He’s got this three-question mantra that he lives by: What do I like? What am I good at? And what pisses me off? When those three things line up, that’s where the magic happens. That’s where you can make a real difference in the world.

But Adam’s not just talk. He’s walking the walk and calling out organizations that claim to support disability rights but don’t actually follow through. He’s especially fired up about the workplace. Before the pandemic, a lot of disabled people were excluded from jobs because remote work wasn’t “possible.” Then COVID hit, and suddenly everyone was working from home. Funny how that works, huh?

Adam’s got a point, though. If we come out of this pandemic with the same mindset we had going in, we’ve seriously dropped the ball. It’s time for some real change, people.

Now, if Adam could sit down with his younger self and give some advice, he’d probably say something like this: “Hey, little dude. Chill out. High school’s dumb, and none of this stuff really matters. You’re gonna go to uni, but maybe ease up on the drinking in that first year. Oh, and don’t be ashamed of who you are. Wear your identity like armor, and no one can hurt you.”

That last bit? That’s some solid gold advice right there. It’s not just for people with visible differences – it’s for everyone. Own who you are, and suddenly those stares don’t matter so much anymore.

But let’s get real for a second. Adam’s not looking to be your inspiration porn. He’s not here to make you feel better about your own life. He’s living his life, doing his thing, and if that happens to inspire you to take action and do something positive, then cool. But that’s on you, not him.

The thing about Adam is, he’s not interested in living quietly. He’s making noise, shaking things up, and challenging the status quo. And honestly? We could all use a bit more of that energy in our lives.

So, next time you see someone who looks different, remember Adam’s story. Don’t stare, don’t make shitty comments, and for the love of all that is holy, don’t whip out your camera phone. Just treat them like a normal person, because guess what? They are.

Adam’s ultimate goal? To get to a point where someone like him can walk into a pub, have a pint, and not cause a stir. Sounds simple, right? But we’ve got a long way to go before that’s a reality.

In the meantime, Adam’s out there fighting the good fight. He’s calling for more disabled talent in the workplace, pushing for real change in disability rights, and living life unapologetically. And maybe, just maybe, by doing all that, he’s making the world a little bit better for everyone.

So, what can we learn from Adam? Well, for starters, life is what you make of it. Whether you’re dealing with a visible difference, a hidden disability, or just feeling a bit different from everyone else, you’ve got a choice. You can let it hold you back, or you can use it as fuel to drive you forward.

And remember, next time life throws you a curveball, ask yourself those three questions: What do I like? What am I good at? And what pisses me off? Find that sweet spot where all three align, and who knows? You might just change the world.