Have you ever heard of Treacher Collins? It's a disorder which affects the bone structure of the face.
Typically, the eyes, ears, cheekbones, and jawbone are all deformed. It can also affect growth and development of the head, and can cause hearing loss. Depending on the severity, most people with Treacher Collins can live a long, healthy life with normal intelligence.
For Dan Bezzant of Idaho, he knows Treacher Collins all too well. His son, Jackson, lives with the condition.
Bezzant posted an extremely powerful message on Facebook which highlighted Jackson's struggles with Treacher Collins at school, and he's been met with an overwhelming response.
Jackson came home from school after a particularly rough day, and he opened up to his dad about what he was dealing with. This prompted Dan to write the now-viral Facebook post.
"My heart is in pieces right now...my soul feels like it's ripping from my chest...this beautiful young man my son Jackson has to endure a constant barrage of derogatory comments and ignorance like I've never witnessed.
He is called ugly and freak and monster on a daily basis by his peers at school. He talks about suicide...he's not quite 8! He says he has no friends and everyone hates him. Kids throw rocks at him and push him shouting these horrific words...please please take a minute and imagine if this were your child.
Take a minute to educate your children about special needs. Talk to them about compassion and love for our fellow man. His condition is called Treacher Collins. Maybe even look it up. He's endured horrific surgery and has several more in the coming years.
Anyway...I could go on...but please educate your children. Please...share this. This shouldn't be happening...to anyone."
Imagine your 8-year-old child coming home and talking about suicide? This is something no parent should ever have to endure.
All Dan Bezzant wants is for people to treat his son like any other child, and to educate their own kids that people with special needs aren't really that much different than them.
The post has been shared over 36,000 times and every comment has been in support of Jackson.