Love Me, Love My Face: "Living My Life The Way I Want"

Jono - you are beautiful and amazing - your story is truly inspirational - please don't fear about having kids - God wants to bless you! :D

Good on you!!truly inspirational, all the best to you both for the future.

Jono just to let you know you r as handsome as you are.

Hello Jono!

I loved reading your story. I know you are not angry at your parents who gave you up, but I am! There is no excuse for what they did. I had (I use past tense cause he passed away, God rest his soul) a brother who was sick, he was mentally handicapped but he was the greatest gift given to us on the planet and I can never imagine how a mother and father can give up their own creation, their own child because of some sickness, disease or deformatiy. We love him so much and miss him dearly!! I don't think my parents, my other brother and I would have ever wanted out lives to be any different.

I am very happy that you have found your happiness finally after so long, and you and your gf make a lovely couple, i wish you two nothing but the best and all the happiness in the world.

ps not that I am comparing you to my brother on any level of mental handicap, but you know what I mean. I am referring to him only cause he was "sick" but we never saw him that way. And that is no reason to give up a child.

All the best!!

Having read your article I simply had to comment on how brave you are and have been in the past. Having also been bullied, I admire how you have dealt with and progressed through, what must have been a very difficult stage in your life. Always be proud of who you are. It is defining and besides, it makes the world a more varied and interesting place. I will be watching your documentary later with anticipation.

All the best to both of you for the future and I hope one day your natural parents will come to their sences.

hey man you are the best you know why because you got a beautiful heart ....the heart that is so pure...... there are two things that i really like about you the first one is your positive attitude towards life and second how contented u r from your life......because alt of ppl even including me who gt everything but still not satisfied from life........so I wish I may also see the life from your perspective one day and bring positivity in me like u have......always keep up this high spirit n keep believing on your self.............and remember that u are the best.....:)
best regards,
sabz malik

Wow, Jono, you are a great source of inspiration! You are about the triumph of the human spirit. I am so sorry about your biological parents but remember your adoptive parents CHOSE you. So did Laura. I just read a story about a 10-year-old who had a stroke in the womb and yet won first prize in a trumpet competition. She is a Giant, just like you. https://myangelsandgiants.com/story/when-child-teacher
If anyone thinks Jono is a Giant and Laura is an angel, you might want to post a story on this new website which celebrates kindness and goodness. It is strictly private and non-commercial.

I can only hope that my nieces have your strength when it comes to the day that they may want to contact their biological parents. It's easy for others to look on and say your parents did the wrong thing, but then you were clearly adopted by just the right person (given the way you have turned out) as it takes a very strong person to support you through years of operations and hospital visits, as well as depression and playing up to be accepted. You are a real credit to your mum :-)

Being Bipolar and a recovering bulimic I have some understanding of your genetic concern about having children, your fight with depression, and being stared at. I also wish people would just ask what is so clearly on their mind.

Regardless of how stupid this world is about superficial things it is the people that really live life that make a positive difference in society. I say that life is to be grabbed by the throat and really lived and it seems that's what you are doing and intend to continue doing. So good luck to you and Laura for your future (she's a lucky woman) and especially for your desire to be parents, I hope everything works out for you. I look forward to watching the documentary and trust that it will inspire people with all sorts of physical, or other, difficulties that mark them out to refuse to hide away and to get out there and grab life by the throat and live it.

Best Wishes x

God bless you Jono, this world is full of hate but there are those that care for the person heart and not the physical look.

My the Lord richly bless you and your future family.

You are truly an inspiration Jono, your sunshine attitude is a ray of hope for all who read your story. You are truly special and amazing, just as we all are, because of what's inside each and every one of us. But you have had so much more to deal with and are still enjoying and appreciating life to the full - I will try to follow your example!
God bless.

You're cool, man. Keep it that way and you'll do just fine!

All the best!

Jono, I was really moved by your truly inspiring story. All the best to you and your girlfriend for the future.

Jono, I was totally moved by your story- you are an inspiration!!!!! Your a wonderful guy!! Please never forget how fantastic you are.. always believe in yourself

All the best for the future! x

Jono, My grandson has Treacher-Collins Syndrome and you have made us so proud. Marc is very special to us and you are also very special. John & Jan McKinnon

Amazing show. Made me feel really emotional. You really are an amazing person, and best of luck for the future! You deserve it!

Jono, you are a true inspiration to us all! Well done you! I am adopted too, Our Mothers are the beautiful ones that brought us up !! love Lu x x Wow what a beautiful couple you are!

Jono, there's no need for anyone to tell you to believe in yourself. Through what must have been a very tough childhood and school life as well as a harrowing time as shown in the programme I am completely humbled by the positivity you show and the lack of resentment you have towards your birth parents. We could all learn a lot from you and the world would be a much more positive place.

Good on you chap and best of luck. Jonathan

Jono, Laura and Jean,

I've just watched your documentary and wanted to say how gorgeous you all are. We're bombarded by so many negative stories everyday, how lovely and refreshing it is to witness true inspiration and genuinely fabulous people!

I wish you all the best and hope we see your smiling faces on TV again soon, maybe a wee celebration in the near future....?

With love

Nicolette xx

Have just watched your programme and just wanted to say you are an inspiration to people everywhere from all walks of life. Your down to earth attitude makes me proud to be from Yorkshire, both you and Laura seem incredibly happy together and i wish you both all the best in all your endeavours. We have a couple of mutual friends and i hope one day to be able to buy you a pint.

Dear Jono and Laura, I just watched your story and I was hooked from beginning to end. My boyfriend lives in Australia and I usually text him every evening about 8:30pm to wish him a good morning I was so engrossed in your programme I totally forgot about him, he ended up calling me to see if I was ok :-) The comment I wanted to leave was the thing that had me hooked wasn't the fact that you have Collin's syndrome, but the amazing love you both share, your love story is amazing! You guys define what TRUE love is! God bless you both. Praying for you both and wishing you the very, very best!! SJ and Danni (my sister)xx

Jono, Laura and his mum are the kind of people we need to make this world a better place. People who have gone through different situations and share their story to inspire and inform others. I really enjoyed watching this and you guys are very inspirational. Keep it up. U have inspired millions today.

lifes too short to be worried about any thing , you two are happy , your mum joane loves you , thats all that counts be good xxx

go get em sunshne ya so called birth parents dont know what a great kid they lost , yeh ya might look different but ya a right nutter lol sorry but ya my sort of guy love n hugs to you both xxxxxxxx

All i can say is what an inspirational, sincere and warm-hearted person you are. You are fab, u have a gorgeous girlfriend with a gr8 personality that compliments yours and a wonderful mother in Jean who clearly loves the bones of you!
I have already seen your interviews on This Morning and just watched the show on BBC3 and each time you have presented yourself with such a great esteem and zest for life. Truly amazing, thank you and good luck for the future :o) x

Jono you are a complete natural and somebody should snap you up to be a presenter on telly. You come ovver a really well balanced bloke. no winging or feeling sorry for yourself. Good luck

Jono, you are a true inspiration to us all you should be so proud of yourself and what you have achieved, I am only sorry that your birth parents do not want to share this with you.

However, don't let it ruin your future, you have so much ahead of you I wish you well for the future - whatever it holds for you. You have a loviing mother (Jean) and girlfriend, Laura, they are your family so enjoy :)

Keep up your wonderful work with others, giving them hope for the future too.

Wishing you every success for the future.
xx

Jono you are a pure insperation for all, you have a lovely girlfriend in Laura who dosent even see any disability and thats the way it should be as it is very obvious that you hasve NO disability as nothing has stopped you getting through your life the same as everyone else...Good on you!
I hope you and Laura continue on thesame road you are on.. a regular couple, facing and beating the usual ups and downs in life. I hope the next thing I hear about you is that you'se have got the wee precious baby you want soo much ..all best wishes to you both for the future and a special wish for Jean, what a brilliant mum!x

Hi Jono, Just watch your program I was born with TCS and half of what you experienced at school happend to me I'm now 49 and like you i too was treated as if I was an idiot and alway having to prove myself now my attitude is is "if they don'y understand then they are not worth the bother" if someone ask me about my lack of ears or whatever I'll answer their query and I know I'm not daft cos in 1997 I got a BA degree (I was 36)I also got my first BAHA. Life will contrinue to test you but you've got a good head on your shoulder and support when you need it thanks for sharing you life with us and all the best for the future

Jono, you absolute top bloke. You have a lovely face and matching pesonality, they are your fortune I think. Your Mum and Laura are so kind and supportive, what more could a guy need! Best wishes to you all.

hi Jono and Laura Just had to send you our very best wishes to you both. My daughter and i have just finished watching the bbc 3 programme and you are an inspiration. Your biological parents dont deserve to know the fantastic, open-hearted, confident and beautiful young man you have grown into.
june & Laura x

Hi Jono,

Just watched your documentary on BBC3 and thought it was absolutely inspiring - you have such energy and spirit, it is a lesson to us all.

I work in a genetics lab, however i do not get to see the patients. Hearing your story really made me see the bigger picture, thank you for sharing it.

I wish you all the best for your future

Thank you for being brave enough to do what you have done. You have just by being you helped so many people who have been able to watch your program. Our world needs more Jono's and I for one would be proud to have such a fine young man as my son. Good luck for the future . Well done Jean your son is a real credit to you.

Well Done Jono, Laura & Jean, loved the programme. Would love to see you on the telly on a regular basis, TV needs more peole like you with bags of confidence and strong views on real life. I think, for what it's worth that any child who is lucky enough to have parents like you two will be, would be a loved, happy and content child. Good Luck to you both, best wishes Trish.

Hi jono and lara.
When I watched your programme I was truly inspired, I loved your spirit.I dunno how people can act so low towards you, you are like any other person. I wish you good luck with lara in the future, I think she is brilliant to have stood by you like she has. You are both really great people. I wish you happiness for the future :). X

Inspirational.You are an amazing young man. My son was born with a cleft lip and palate and has undergone a fair amount of staring and comments 'freak face, where's the circus'etc etc. We brought him up much like you, to be confident and proud of who he is. He is now 22 and studying medicine at Leeds University. He also has a long term girlfriend. You have to remember it is not you that have a problem, it is other people. You and Laura make a lovely couple and the future looks brilliant for the pair of you. As Benjamin Zephaniah said:
You have to look beyond the face,
To see the person true,
Deep down within my inner space,
I am the same as you.

Your Mum (Jean) must be immensley proud of you, as are many many others.
All the very best.

Hi Jono

I also have a genetic facial disorder NF1. Not only does it affect my face but my whole body. I have small lumps all over my body. From time to time I have a few surgicaly removed but they just come back. All i want is to be beautiful but know it can never be. I have few friends because have been hurt so many times and have to really get to now someone before i can trust them so that they know me for what is inside not how i look. You are a true inspiration. I just with i had had your confidence when i was younger. (I am now 53). One good thing i have finally met the love of my life who like Laura saw beyond my face to what i really am.

I wish you and Laura every happiness.

Thank you

Helen

Jono and Laura. You're great. I can see why you'd be worried about starting a family of your own...but you both have so much to give to a child. Your outlook on life is the best base and starting point to build a self confident and loving kid, weather he or she has treacher collins or not. Also an idea...I know it's weird getting advice from someone you don't know...but it may be a good opportunity to adopt and pay forward the good life you received from your stepmom?! Thanks for sharing your story with me...I cried a bit cause I couldn't imagine giving up my son...Bless you two and keep the awesome attitude, it suits you!!! xo

Hi Jono. We have just watched the TV programme Love Me, Love My Face. What a lovely person you are, and what a lovely mother and girlfriend you have. You are an inspiration to us all. I hope your real mum and dad were watching and decide to make contact, you deserve it as you are such a loyal son to them, even after all you have been through. We love you and we love your face. You are beautiful inside and out. Good luck for the future. The Cooks

hi jono,
l would just like to say l really enjoyed watching about your life,and l hope to read one day that you two have married and have a lovely family. All the best for the future, and good luck with the house.

love to you both and take carexx

josie

Jono, watching your show has truly inspired me. You have showed many people how strong you are, and you have beaten the bullies and came out on top which many people find so hard to do. Your girlfriend Laura is also strong, where as so many people don't have the decency to look into your heart, she did and you are the perfect couple, and look amazing together :)
I wish you all the very best for you two in the future, and I hope you get to share your experiences with future children you may have.
Keep on smiling, you're beautiful! :)

Jono, I have never written anything like this on any public platform before, but having watched the BBC3 programme this evening, I felt I had to do so.
You are an inspiration, and a 'true' role model for kids and adults alike. I can imagine the hurt an rejection you must feel with regard to your birth parents, but clearly your 'real' Mum, has given you a level of support and love that has helped make you the man you are today, and many kids, sadly don't get that from their birth parents. You are clearly much loved, and love much in return, and at the end of the day, that is the ultimate prize for all of us. Wishing you, your Mum, and Laura, all the very best.

Wow Jono, you are SUCH an amazing guy! Your program was so moving, especially the phone call to the adoption agency. I suspect you have inherited your parents strong minds, but rest assured your mother at least DOES love you and not a day will go by that she doesnt think of her baby. My Mum adopted out a child for different reasons, and she finds the guilt of giving her up extremely hard to live with, even her name can send her into depression for weeks. Strangely enough though she really doesn't want to meet her, just too painful for her to come face to face with, I suspect. It may be the same with your parents and little to do with your face. They really are missing out on having an incredibly inspirational and GORGEOUS guy in their lives! Maybe one day soon they will overcome their own fears and contact you. You will make such a lovely dad. I look forward to seeing more of you!

Jono and Laura

We have just watched the programme and are truly humbled at your attitude to life. Everyone thinks that they have problems and mope around, but you have got up and got on with it. During the programme you mentioned about your birth parents saying it was their loss we echo that remark. We hope that they watched the programme and realised what a fine upstanding young man they have missed out on. Of course credit is due not only to you but to your mum (Jean) who has brought you up and supported you through everything to make you the person you are.

We would also like to add that it was nice to see that such a beautiful girl can see beyond the physical appearance and see the person inside. You both look so happy together and we would like to wish you all the very best for the future. No matter what the future holds for you we believe that you will conquer anything and your love will remain strong.

By the way we wont be nasty to you if we meet:)

Eddie and Jaki xx

You already have what matters most - wonderful people who love you and a positive attitude. I hope to see you again on television - you're inspiring!(and not just for those with TCS)
I wish you much happiness x

OMG you two are amazing and remember we need updated programmes for the wedding. I know this will happen as you two are so much in love and bring out each others inner beauty together.

Laura and Jono, Oh what a lovely couple you are, so nice to see genuine love! What was also so refreshing is all the time in the press, young people are so demonised as being selfish, materialistic etc., etc., And there you two were, just a loving happy normal couple. You are both a credit to your parents!! If you do as good as they have, your kids will be very lucky! jill louise. london

Hi Jono,
What a wonderfull inspiration you are to everyone who watched your program. You have touched the lives of so many people who you will never know or meet. And i am sure, like me, they will be inspired by your positive outlook on life. Thank you for sharing a small part of your life with us, my very best wishes for the future.
Helen

What an amazing inspirational documentary. I was sad when it finished as I wanted to learn more about you and your charity work. To face those school kids was quite something and you won them over. Jono, your story is your story and I am glad you shared it with us all.
To Jean, you did something really special. You gave Jono a family that he was denied at birth. And I thank you for that.
To Laura, you have found your man.... so go for the ring :-) I wish you both all the best.
Kind regards,
Neil

Well done Jonno if any of us wanted to feel sorry for ourselves we need only look to you for inspiration. But as you know life goes on doesn't it there is no point complaining about it we just need to get on with it. I was born in Yorkshire so I know a bit about it, haha. Laura is an abosolute angel too. You really have been blessed both of you. Hope all goes fab for your future.

All the best

Gezbee

Jono sweetheart, you are one very special person, a good hearted, beautiful soul, that totally touched my heart, among many many others no doubt! Your a treasure, an amazing fella, and a true inspiration to all out there. And as someone that was adopted myself, id just like to say, Thank you, for making a difference to my thoughts. All the very best wishes to you, your beautiful Laura, and your future together. And your wonderful mum....the ones that really matter. God bless x

Hi Jono and Laura. Well. What can I say. What a show. What a guy. What a couple. I'm speechless. What an Inspiration. To say I was moved is an understatement. Keep your head held high and ignore any comments that come from the mouths of ignorant people.
I hear that you are now a team leader working with adults with autism. As a teacher I too work with people with learning difficulties including autism and understand how rewarding it can be. I take my hat off to you sir. It's about time we had a true celebrity on the TV.
P.S. Being a fellow Yorkshireman just up the road has nothing to do with favouritism. Ha ha. Take care and good luck....

Hey Jono, You are a handsome man and you're such a beautiful person... You have truly touched me and given me hope that there is true kindness and intelligence in this world... I was also bullied as a child, and I unfortunately know a lot of people who were too... All the kids who are bullied are always different in one way or another, and they're always truly special ... The world is full of hatred but you are right when you say things happen for a reason. Wall have a mission on this Earth, and we're all here to learn. Same for the bullies.
If you do have children one day, one this's for sure, you and your girlfriend will be wonderful parents.

It's people like yourselves who make me love life even more! X

I read your story in Company and saw the documentary on bbc and have to say they have done it once again. Your story is inspirational and amazing. I have psoriasis and I find I hide a lot and you have the courage and personality to continue and take life as it comes. I am pleased that you have met Laura she (like my boyfriend) is sincere and loving to the end and she loves you for you. Beauty is inside more than out. I hope you have an amazing life and you are both happy together forever and that you have children however they will come they will be loved and that is what is important xxx

You are a wonderful guy, with a wonderful girlfriend and you are going to have a wonderful life and family.

Good luck in everything you do Jono! Wish I was half as cool as you! ;-)

I found listening to you to be at once inspiring and humbling. Your birth parents have missed out on seeing a great bloke grow up into a genuine, kind, and warm hearted gentleman.

Credit to you and Laura and I hope you'll always be happy.

All the best,
Rich

You are a truly inspirational and beautiful young man Jono. Your parents don't deserve you but maybe they know that. Best wishes to you and Laura for a really happy future together. Keep smiling. x

Hi Jono, I watched your documentary tonight and have nothing but admiration for you. I've never felt the need to add my comments to something like this, but I just wanted to say that you came across as a thoroughly decent bloke and that your dignity, courage & self determination is something to be proud of. I sincerely wish you & Laura all the best for the future. Killer Tats by the way!

Mate you are a true Yorkshire legend! What an amazingly moving tale, truly inspirational you are. Keep your head held high and shine on.

Extremely inspirational! Just proves how shallow our society really is. All the best for both of you. Genuinely caring people! This world could do with more of them!

Hi Jono, I really wish you the best of luck and good health in your life. You can be really proud of yourself for overcoming such adversities in your life.
Your Mum Jean can be very proud of the way you have turned out.
I hope you don't spend too much time hoping for your real parents to turn up trumps for you, or time envying others who have that love, because I pity any children those people may have, they seem to hold strong to the idea of CONDITIONAL love, no-one needs that. love needs to be unconditional, that is what you and Laura have and never accept anything else.
Enjoy your life, it is precious,
You gave me a lift today when things could be so depressing.
Keep up your positiveness, you are too great for words.
A big hug for you x

Wow - Jono - I was reduced to tears after watching the programme - what an amazing guy - half way through I didnt even notice any facial difference - you are truly beautiful - both inside and out!
I'm so sorry your birth parents made the decision they did but if they were out there watching I'm sure they'd realise what they're missing.
You have a wonderful mum and girlfriend and are an inspiraion to us all.
What a great guy you turned out to be - good for you! Hope you all have a wonderful life xxx

Having clicked onto the news article absent-mindedly, honestly the first thing I noticed was the gorgeous hair. I'm not just saying that!

Anyway, I hope that putting this story out there raises awareness, it's ignorance that causes a lot of the problems after all. I wish you both a healthy, happy future together.

Jono, I have just watched your documentary and as everybody has already said you really are an incredible young man and truely inspirational. It was so brave of you to make this documentary as it can be a very daunting experience.
I was very sadened that your birth parents chose not to meet you and whilst I do not condone their decision, I do think it's very easy to judge others, when not fully informed. None of us know their full story. Fear of the unknown can be terrifying and may possibly, partly explain their decision to give you up for adoption, only they know.
Whatever their reasons, even they could only feel immense pride when they see what you have achieved in your life so far.
I wish you, your beautiful girlfriend Lara and mum Jean all the very best. You deserve so much in life, go for it x

You and your lovely ladies are just amazing. Your story tonight was one which had me laughing and crying. Thank you for being so brave and telling your story and opening the issue up into society, so it can be talked about rather than being one which is 'unspoken'. Thank you so much for letting us all into your amazing life. You are a true inspiration and I wish you both all the luck in the world in your new house and your future life together. Sod William and Kate - you are the couple which have won my heart this week!!!

xx

Well done Jono. Keep going, as I'm sure you will

Hi Jono

Never written about a tv programme before but felt I had to do this tonight after watching yours. I remembered you and Laura from This Morning and felt just like Holly did when she said she loved you both. You are a natural for TV and come across so well. You lead such a fullfilling life, I think you would be an inspiration to people of all ages especially youngsters. You have so much natural talent and a great personality compared to so called celebrity presenters on tv just now. (BBC/ITV please note)Im sure you will achieve whatever you wish for in life. Your lovely mum Joan is obviously proud of the wonderful son she has brought up. Although I was angry and could not understand why your biological parents would not want to meet you, I ended up feeling more sorry for them that I did for you. They probably felt inadequate then, and will be feeling worse now, as you have won the hearts of so many viewers who would be proud to have you as their son. Good luck to you and Laura and I really hope to see you again in the future. Mxx

Your trendy, smart appearance, fit bod and the 'can do' attitude was no surprise to me, based on personal experience, I have a theory that Mother Nature compensates.... 3yr old Ellie had 'it' too!

Hi Jono,

I have just watched your programme and you are a true inspiration. I also saw you on This Morning and was very moved by your story and your positivity. I have two sons and two daughters and like many others I am sure, I would be proud to have a son like you or for either of my daughters to bring home such an inspirational young man with such a positive attitude to life. You are the type of young man who can achieve anything he sets his mind to and I wish you and Laura a very happy future. Your Mum is a very lucky lady to have you in her life. Continue to be happy Jono and good luck to you for the future.

You are a true legend m8. Your attitude will take you a long way in life. Some parts of your life remind me of myself. Iv got autism and few other things which i let control my life until i met my gf and she brought the best out in me. We now have a 9m old boy and i live for them both. I was bullied at school for my 'problems' but i never thought of them as problems, i thought of them as positive things. The way i lead my life is i do what i want, not what other people want. It has worked for 21yrs so far and hope it will for another 21yrs. I really hope you have the life you want and you and your gf have a happy life together with all the things you ever want. You are going to go a long way in your life. Look forward, not back. Take care of yourself. Dom xxxx

It is rare that I feel compelled to comment on a tv programme but I was so touched by the documentary about you Jono. You are such a genuine, kind, caring person. Throughout the whole 60 minutes, you didn't utter one nasty word even after the enormous disappointment when your biological parents refused to meet you, you even defended their decision, what a dignified person you are. I wish you and Laura all the very best for the future and hope so dearly that you will soon get to enjoy the pleasures of parenthood, you'll make a great Dad.

Jono and Laura, thankyou for radiating such love and compassion, I think you are here to teach us all about the importance of just being and acceptance. Most of all helping people to overcome their dessire to be so called 'perfect' you know as I do perfection is not visual its vibrational in what we radiate from our aura's as human beings. I asked myself if your parents had been born blind if they would not have any need to question your appearance and how that may effect their parenting? but join you in not blamming them for their own fears about life and socal rejection. Much much respect to you both xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

I'm not an avid commenter on TV programmes, but felt the need to register here with the BBC, just to say well done to you both, Jono and Laura, and well done the programme makers too. I watched your documentary with my wife last night and will be watching it again with my kids tonight. Inspirational isn't an adequate enough word for what you're doing. I hope someone in the Government is paying attention, because you're exactly the kind of social ambassadors this country needs. I'll be telling everyone I know to check out the iPlayer on this (but I won't be following your example and entering next year's Hard Man competition, I'm afraid!) . All the best, Emlyn

Jono & Laura,

I have never been compelled to comment online about something I've watched on TV, but after watching your documentary last night I absolutely had to. You are both truly inspirational and just adorable people and I wish you every success and happiness for your future. I have an incredible amount of respect for the way you have dealt with everything life has thrown at you - you are a credit to yourself and your adoptive family.

If only there were more people like you in the world!

Becky x

I have never felt so compelled to comment on a programme I've watched before, but have only just registered on here to do just that.
Jono you are a truly inspirational young man. Your birth parents are very unlucky not to have you in their lives. As you said yourself, their loss.
I wish you, your beautiful girlfriend Laura and your mum Jean all the love and happiness in the world.
Stay positive and I hope one day you'll be a dad, You and Laura will make fab parents. God Bless, reach for the stars, Gail xXx

I watched you and Laura with fond memories. My last love also had Treacher Collins. For me her looks were only relevant when we first met, once I knew her, her true beauty was evident.

Sadly, much to my sorrow, we parted some time ago.

Seeing the two of you together made me realise just how much I still miss her.

Look after each other and have a long life together.

David
Stoke-on-Trent

Your story is really inspiring. You are also a naturally great communicator. Thank you for sharing your story and giving so many of us such a great example to follow in life.

Jono: You, your mum and Laura are fabulous! You really made me smile as I watched your programme last night. You and Laura clearly share a sense of humour, an upbeat outlook and a genuine love of life, that is admirable. Life can be good, but it's even better with people like you guys in the world.

As my husband and I watched your programme last night, we realised that the differences in your face became less and less obvious, even over such a short space of time. All we saw, was a gorgeous, stylish guy with a gorgeous attitude and a gorgeous girlfriend. You are a brilliant bloke and you and Laura will make utterly fantastic parents.

I really hope to see more of you both on television; not because you have Treacher Collin's, but because you both have an absolute talent for making people smile!

Things like human qualities, skills and talent more matter than face. Jono, you are truly inspirational, I hope you will carry on your good work inspiring other people. I am also amassed by Laura’s commitment. All the best for all three of you.

what a very nice couple you two are an inspiration to us all, i love the 'do what i want ' attitude, and yes it's your birth parents loss.
lets hope we get to see 'what happens next' when yo uget married or have a family. good luck to you both and your' mum' is the bestist mum you you ever need. love her to as she took you on as you are and no different to anyone else. Laura you are lucky to have him, good luck all the best Terri.......Spain xx

Thank you so much for sharing your story Jono. As a mother who has an adopted Treacher-Collins, child (age 11), it was extremely encouraging to read about how positive you are about your appearance. The other evening we were having devotions around the dinner table and it had to do with accepting who you are and the way God made you and my husband asked our son if there was anything he would like to change about himself and he suggested larger hands and to be a bit taller. I hope and pray that he will continue with that attitude. Our son has had numerous surgeries, and just had the BAHA implant hook up and will be able to have the hearing device hooked on in a few more months.

We love our son so very much. He is from Ukraine and it was no small fete to adopt him and now we go into NYC for surgeries, but it is so worth it all because he brings us so much joy. What a mom you must have and what an incredible amount of love she has for you! You are blessed indeed. We have 6 adopted children and we feel so blessed to have them, we just wouldn't want our lives to be any different. I am sure you can't even begin to imagine what you mean to your mom.

My husband and I are in our mid sixties and we are just having a most wonderful life, especially with our son with all his deformities. Which like your girlfriend Laura, we don't even see. We see the wonderful person and character of our son.

You have blessed me with your story and I shared some of it with our son this morning. He thought Laura was very pretty, but he was wondering if you were trying to match your hair with hers!

God bless you and may you continue to encourage and inspire others.

you are beauty at its best. you are a great man. go for everything good and the beauty is there. I'm sorry your true parents did'nt want you then and now but its their loss. you and Laura are a great looking couple and as long you know that, thats all that matters now. I wish you all the best in life for the both of you.

I think you are a gorgeous person inside and out and you make a fab couple - just enjoy your lives together xx

Hi Jono I had to write hope you and Laura read these all these comments.
Your programme absolutely made me realise what is important in life i.e. a good attitude and excellent personality. You should realise how many peoples' lives you have influenced in such a positive way. I admire and respect you so much. well done for being so brave and standing up for the good things in life. I feel sad for your natural parents they are missing so much and forshame on them. You have a lovely family, the best anyway. All the very best in life to you and Laura you deserve it. Thanks again for getting my life in perspective, you are really wonderful. thanks Jan

Jono you are beautiful in and out and I'love'u.U are my celebrity and this is the first time Iam responding to any documentary.you are so lucky to have a mum and partner that loves u.U are all real,genuine individuals and the world could do with more people like you,rather than some fake God knows what that people 'worship'this days.Iam surprised at your attitude towards your birth parent but it only goes to comfirm that you are better off without them and u've got a bigger heart than I have.stop Searching you are a gem.lots of admiration to your mum and partner they are so lucky to have you.Remi.

jono i enjoyed the programme you took part in. you and laura seem like a great couple. best wishes to you both.

Hello Jono & Laura, after watching your story last night i really wanted to contact you both. Jono you are truly inspirational and i love everything about you as i do my own son who is 28 and has Treacher Collins Syndrome too. You look so much alike and could be twins. You've also lived and breathed so many similar triumphs in life facing adversity and moving on. Like you he wouldnt have surgery either saying his face is the way he is and if people dont like it, thats there problem. He's been bullied, done outragous things just to fit in with his peers at school and be liked. He is one of 5 children and i call him my little rebel. He's been through some really tough times. I love him to bits and am so proud of what he has achieved. He has a lovely girlfriend just like you and the proud Dad to a daughter & son with Treacher Collins as well as a son without and taken on his partners three children as his own. He is so good with all the children and a wonderful Dad, partner, son, Grandson, brother and Uncle. Life is what you make it. You've been blessed with a wonderful new family whose love for you shines so brightly. Be happy, hope you and Laura have your own family one day.
Love to you all, Jenny x x

WOW Jono, What a fantastic young man you are. Your program certainly made me think and I thank you for that. Keep up your good work and I wish you and Laura all the love and good health in the world. My Son is 26 and has made me very proud all of his life, he is a self employed carpenter and also a lead guitarist in a very good rock band (Tortilla Army) you have the same energy level as my boy and from what I saw of you I would have been as proud to have had you as a son. God forgive your real Father who has obviously missed out on a remarkable young man who has overcome so many difficult times. Well done young man.

Jono, You are truly inspirational, what can I say that has not already been said?

I watched your story last night and have thought about you ever since. You are testament to a true mothers love....your adoptive mother. She obviously saw the wonderful person that you are and gave you everything that you needed to help you to become the person that you are today.

It broke my heart to see your reaction from the news of your birth parents refusal to meet you. You were so very right when you said that it was their loss. Through their ignorance, they will never know what it is to know the incredible person that you are.

Be proud son, I would be so proud to have you as my son!

I hope that you have a very happy life with Laura, you both deserve the best! Good Luck xx

Jono I was absolutely heartbroken that your parents did not contact you and very angry. They will only have regret and guilt at what they did. I would have been so proud and privileged to have a beautiful son as you. God bless you always and thankyou for being such a wonderful inspiration to so many. I send my love to you and to your beautiful girlfriend and also to your lovely Mom. What a lovely person and you can see she loves you so much. Liz xxxxxxxx

jono and laura,
Myself and my 12 year old son Jack who also has Treacher Collins Syndrome would just like to say we both think you absolutely fantastic and such a lovely couple. I was so upset for you when your adoptive parents decided not to meet you and i just wanted to say, having seen you and how you have come so far in life and your positive attitude, that i would have been proud to call you my son. Stay just the way you are Jono. You are an inspiration to us all and myself and all my family wish you and laura, and of course not forgetting your super mum , all the luck in the world with your future. Take care sweetheart and stay positive. Your really are a star !! My little boy jack would also like to say :hi jono,i have trecher collins syndrome and i am really glad i watched your program!!! bye bye!!! Wishing you all the luck in the world. Love Jo and Jack xxxxxxxx

Poem to Jono, Laura and Jean (Jono's mum)
'Three Heroes'
We saw your face,
We saw your heart
Tears of pain,
Tears of love...
What shall we say,
What words shall we use,
To describe your mum, Jean?
What about Laura,
Adorable Laura?
Three heroes,
You made the nation gasp,
With awesome admiration!

Hi Jonathan, laura ,Jean, I have just watch your guys on BBC play back.
Wanted to say Jonathan, you are a good mam with a great outlook on life and a kind heart. Jean is a real angel and full of love, Laura , you are a really special person who is down to earth, grounded and just you , Very special. I wish you all great happiness. Society often judges others and we have no right to. WE need to look at each others hearts not appearances . Jonathan , never stop believing in yourself my freiend because you have achieved so much and dealt with so much in your life that many people wouldnt . Best Wishes Darren & Amanda [Personal details removed by Moderator]

Jono you are an amazing, inspirational person and I am full of admiration for you. Laura is a special and lovely girl too and you both deserve every happiness together.
Your mum Jean has done a fantastic job in bringing you up and must be very proud of you. Your birth mother has missed so much by not being in your life and the loss is entirely hers. Maybe she finds it hard to live with her guilt and that is why she doesn't want to see you.
Keep up the great work you do in helping and educating others. I wish you and Laura wonderful, happy lives together.

Hi Jono,
Just watched the recorded documentary. What lovely people you three are. Your adoptive Mum proving yet again that real love makes a parent, not an accident of birth. Only you guys know how tough things have been, but you have forged a path to something better.(Another saying "what doesn't kill you makes you stronger" annoyingly true.) You have a positive attitude and charisma by the shedload, a magnet for all ages and sexes.(That's why your girlfriend stuck around, the 'bod' is just a bonus!)It's sad that you've gained all your insight at such personal cost, but amazing that you have shared it and given the rest of us a kick up the bum. Despite it all, bet you wouldn't swap a 'regular' life and shallow acquaintances for the real love and understanding you've found in your personal sphere and all those other lives you've touched as a force for good, by being YOU!

Hi jono, Laura and Jean,
What a truely remarkable and inspirational threesome you all are in your own rights to us in the rest of the world; you came into our lives through a little screen in the corner of our living rooms and you all touched our hearts and souls of everyone who had the good fortune to see you on the programme.
In this threesome, you could not have one without the other, and you are all indeed aweinspiring, because you all touched people's lives differently and for different reasons. There were so many highs and lows throughout watching your programme and I loved you all for connecting with me on so many different levels.
Jean (Mum) you said at one stage, you felt a little redundant, yet I really do not think you will ever be redundant, you have given Jono a solid foundation for him for him to build upon and to walk through this life with his head held high with confident courage, and so he should do, he is so lucky to have found you, and you him, and I think he is certainly grounded enough to realise he would not be half the person he has turned out to be without the love, dedication, support, kindness and his personal heaven sent angel, its just that Jono has now been fortunate enough to have been sent another angel in the form of Laura to help him through this next stage of his life and he has been an absolute angel in return to both of you and you two to him.
Some people go through life waiting for change to happen, you three go through life and make changes happen, you change peoples tomorrow's, today.
You three do not need good luck, because you have found all the luck you will ever need this world, in each other.
I would like to thank you enormously though so much for coming into my life and for putting some humanity back into a sometime thoughtless and dismal world. keep changing the world, keep on changing peoples lives, I think you are all brilliant
Sincerest and kindest regards Gregory x x x

Jono - you are an inspriation to us all!! Keep up the good work!

I have a 38 year brother with the same condition. He also has had to endure endless stares from strangers and some people openly laugh or look horrified. He endured may operations at a young age to make him look "normal" but as soon as he was old enough to make his own disisions he had no more painful plastic surgery. Jono you are an amazing man and I hope you can have children in the future. My brother has decided no to go down that route but he is leading a great life with a understanding community and friends.

Jono as a mother of 3 kids I would just like to say that any mother would
be proud to call you there son , any women can give birth but it's takes a special women to
be a mother and you have that already with the women you call Mum , enjoy your life as you are special , not
for your face bur for the person you have become and joy you bring to people around you x

Jono, just like 2 say well done in life. U clearly hav the world at ur feet and a nice guy like u deserves it. Thought ur programme was brilliant. Good luck for the future