Thankful Thursday: Volunteer Hero, Christian Scalise!

Volunteer Hero: Christian Scalise, Country Stars Central

1.     Where are you from? Chicago area.

2.    Tell me a little bit about you (1-3 sentence bio). I am the founder/CEO of Country Stars Central and Showbiz Deluxe. I love photography, travel, music, cooking, and spending time with family and friends.

3.     When did you first start Country Stars Central? I founded CSC in 2007. My first interview was with Pam Tillis and Gospel legend, the late Dottie Rambo - she has had her songs recorded by Whitney Houston and many other popular artists.

4.    What inspired you to want to do this photo series? It all began with the September Craniofacial Acceptance Month poster. The very first person to pose was Joan Rivers in July of 2014, unfortunately she passed away shortly after. I wanted to find a way to raise awareness for CCA. Through the various meetings I’ve had with countless celebrities, they have been kind enough to pose with the CCA poster. I hope it will help benefit CCA in a positive and impactful way!

5.     When did this hobby turn into a passion? I’ve always loved music and being creative. It really has always been a passion of mine since I was in my early teens. I have always been very inquisitive!   

6.    What’s your process like? What do you say to convince the artist to pose with the poster? I am a firm believer of divine intervention. I always pray about everything I do beforehand. I make every effort to kindly ask the artists I’ve either interviewed, or met to take a pic with the CCA poster. I give them a little background info on CCA and so far, no one has refused! I plan to have many more awesome pics with the CCA poster in 2017…

7.     Who are some of your favorite artists? Loretta Lynn, Céline Dion, Coldplay, Lee Ann Womack, George Jones, Stevie Nicks, and of course Cher.

8.     Do you feel like you have a special connection with any of them? Yes, I would say with Loretta Lynn, I have been privileged to get to know her and her family over the years. I met Loretta for the first time in October 2007, have interviewed her twice and have spent many great moments with her since. She’s very special to me and I am blessed to know her.  

9.    What’s your favorite photo? Okay, other than the Cher one… ;) Definitely Joan Rivers- but obviously I am so grateful for every star who has been gracious enough to pose with the poster. There’s an entire story behind the Joan Rivers meeting… she was SO genuinely interested in getting involved. Sadly, she passed away that September. Out of all the celebrities I’ve met, Joan Rivers was by far the most willing to get on board with the cause. FYI- Please visit our CCA album to see all the celebs who have taken pics with the poster here: http://tinyurl.com/jrkwv6x

10. What inspires you? Being able to share my talent with others. I love writing, interviewing artists and being creative. The children of CCA have inspired me to want to continue to raise awareness for a wonderful cause!

11. What other hobbies do you have? I have taken a newfound interest in painting, which I started doing in 2014! I painted a flower for Loretta Lynn and most recently presented a painting to Céline Dion in memory of her husband, Rene, this past June.  You can see these paintings and all my other artwork here: www.Facebook.com/ChristianScalisePaintings

12. What does a day in your life look like? At the moment, I am currently pursuing a degree in communication which has taken up every waking moment of my life…ha ha! In addition to working, and maintaining both websites and our social media sites.

13. What does kindness mean to you? Being able to make a positive difference in the lives of the other people that I meet. We are all here for a reason and a purpose.

14. What’s your motto? Seize the day! Never take no for answer, keep the faith and never lose hope!

15. Why did you decide to help out CCA? (We’re so grateful!) It all goes back to a Midwest (Wisconsin) connection with my buddies Jill Patterson and her son, Robbie. Initially our websites ran advertisements for CCA in an effort to help raise awareness, and funds during Craniofacial Acceptance Month. I have been blessed to meet some of the younger CCA kids, which only doubled my desire to spread the word about CCA. The rest is history… It really is a small world!

16. Five things on your list of things to do before you die: I don’t want to think about that yet. I trust that the Lord has a lot more for me to do before I leave this world. I hope to continue to spread the message about CCA in the years to come. I would LOVE to have Céline Dion be the next celebrity to take a photo with the CCA poster! God bless you all. Thank you for taking the time to speak with me! PLEASE be sure to LIKE us on Facebook too! www.Facebook.com/CountryStarsCentral and www.Facebook.com/ShowbizDeluxe

Artist Interview: Jennifer Johnson

We have three new webstore items for CCA! They are all commissioned stickers by artists who graciously gave their time and talent to make custom artwork for an artist-series collection. One of the new stickers you can order is this heart representing the strong bonds we share with our CCA Family.

The "We are Family" design, by Jennifer Johnson, encompasses our slogan that Beyond the Face is A Heart. Check out our exclusive interview below to learn more about her work and how she chose to create such a cool piece for CCA Kids.

Artist Interview, Jennifer Johnson

Jennifer with her Mom, Carolyn, and Cher

CCA: Where are you from? 

JJ:  Midland, Texas

CCA: When did you first start drawing and designing? 

JJ:  I first started drawing at age two. My mother bought me art materials to keep me busy during my hospital stays and rest periods at home. My decision to become a visual artist became clearer when I was seven years old, after I submitted artwork for a children's Christmas card design competition. I won first and second place!

CCA: When did you realize you wanted to pursue art as a career and how’d you go about it? 

JJ:  I've always known I wanted to be an artist – even before I was old enough to understand all that entailed. I’m primarily self-taught, with the exception of a few art classes in high school. Drawing portraits is what I enjoy most; however, it’s very difficult to make a living as a traditional artist.

As a result, I developed skills and an appreciation for graphic design and visual communications. I don't have a graphic design degree, but I spent years studying the works of artists I admire, reading books on design techniques and tools, and watching videos. In 2003, I began my professional career as a graphic designer. Since then, I have achieved many accomplishments with my creative life and business. Besides my day job at Century Graphics & Sign, I currently work as a freelance artist designing band merchandise for Essential Artist Services, a Nashville-based merchandise company that works with major names in the Music, Non-profit, Academic, and Business worlds. I’ve worked for clients including Rachel Platten, Green River Ordinance, Lauren Daigle, I Am They, So You Think You Can Dance, Harley Davidson, and Taylor Swift. To go to a concert and see your design worn by the artist or crowd is an experience that can only be described as euphoric!

Jennifer with Rachel Platten

CCA: What was it like for you growing up? What has been your experience with having a facial difference?

JJ:  Growing up with a facial difference wasn't always easy, but I was blessed with a loving family that supported me, and with friends who accepted me for me. Junior high and high school was a tough time for me. I was bullied terribly in 9th grade by some boys at my school. They stole my lunch and spit it back in my backpack, held a lighter to my hair on the school bus, and pulled a chair out from under me that resulted in fractured ribs. It was a painful time for me, but I am much stronger for the experience. I firmly believe that those experiences inspired me to be brave, to know the value in myself, to be kind to others and to stand strong in my beliefs. I think, in hindsight, growing up with a facial difference was a positive thing for me. It's made me who I am today, and I'm proud of who I've become.

CCA: What do you wish others knew about people with facial and other physical differences? 

JJ:  I wish others had a better understanding of the positive aspects of living with physical differences. Unfortunately, our society remains very appearance conscious. Although there can be serious stresses connected with having a facial difference in today's society, we can develop positive images of ourselves and lead full, rewarding lives.

Jennifer and her Mom, Carolyn, with Train

CCA: What do you do when you get discouraged? How do you combat fear and/or creative blocks?

JJ:  Discouragement and creative burnout happens to every artist sooner or later. When I’m feeling

discouraged, I count my blessings. I make a conscious effort to remember what’s good and going well in my life, it helps put things into perspective. I also create some downtime for myself. It gives me the opportunity to take a deep breath, let my imagination wander, and explore the world around me. Many of my successes came after periods of discouragement and failure. Discouragement is just a temporary obstacle.

Martina McBride with Jennifer & Carolyn

CCA: What’s your design process like? How long does it take to go from idea to finished illustration? JJ:  When drawing portraits, I always start with the eyes. Once I get the eyes right, the rest fits into place. The drawing process can take a few hours or even days, depending on what I want to accomplish. I’m almost never completely satisfied with the result, so I’m not a good judge of my work.

Graphic design creations tend to be more strategically driven. The process I follow is pretty similar to that of many other designers, and with  a  simple  goal:  to  ensure  the  client  get  the  highest  quality of work that meets the predetermined objectives.

CCA: You work a lot with musicians. Why do you think you connect with them? 

JJ:  I’m intrigued by the human face. It reveals so much about a person: their story lies in all the little details in their facial features. That fascination and my love of music has led me to create hundreds of portraits. When I create a portrait, it’s with sincere appreciation for all that their music has brought into my life.

CCA: What’s your favorite design you’ve done? 

JJ:  One of my favorite portraits I created was of Rachel Platten. I’ve been a fan for years and had to opportunity to see her in concert in Dallas last September. The night before the show, I posted my painting on social media hoping she or someone on her team would see it. Imagine my surprise when I logged on to find a personal invite to meet her backstage after her set! Rachel actually cried when I presented it to her. Being able to move someone with my art is the greatest compliment an artist can ever hope to receive. It absolutely made my night!

CCA: What inspires you? 

JJ:  Music is definitely an important part of the creative process for me. It’s rare for me to work on a project without music playing in the background.

I'm a big fan of “the little things." The smallest thing can make the biggest impact. You can change someone's entire day with a smile. I find inspiration in these little moments.

People inspire me more than anything else! My family and friends inspire me daily to be the best possible version of myself and support me in anything I choose to do.

CCA: What advice do you have for adults with physical differences when they are looking for jobs and marketing themselves? 

JJ:  Don’t let hardships and adversities keep you from reaching your goals and dreams. Embrace who you are, follow your dreams, and never give up... that's when you’ll start to shine.

CCA: What does a day in your life look like? 

JJ:  Every day is different. Today I might work on a corporate logo design, tomorrow a vehicle wrap, and the next a number of t-shirt designs. There’s never a dull moment. There are always new trends, new tools, new technologies, new theories, new sources of inspiration – a creative mind never   stops learning.

CCA: What does kindness mean to you? 

JJ:  Kindness means being kind to yourself as well as others. Your sense of value and worth depend not on how you compare to others, but on the conviction that everyone is human and worthy of compassion.

CCA: What’s your motto? 

JJ:  I have a tattoo that says "Today I’ll create something beautiful." It reminds me to be inspired and inspire others.

CCA: Why did you agree to help out CCA? 

JJ:  I’ve been involved with CCA since the beginning. I can't think of a better way to use my talent than to help others!

CCA: Five things on your list of things to do before you die?

JJ: 

1. Find true love
2. See a live concert at Red Rocks Amphitheater 
3. Travel to Europe
4. Attend the Grammys
5. Make a difference, whether big or small.

JJ: Also, a fun fact: The first celebrity portrait I ever did was of Cher when I was 10 years old!

Adults & Alumni Respond to The X-Files

Many of our fans and followers on social media were unhappy with the portrayal of several craniofacial conditions and rare diseases on the recent revamped series, The X-Files. The Adults & Alumni subcommittee of CCA drafted this letter in response to the show and in hopes that we can continue the discussion around the portrayal of differences and disabilities in the media.

You can read it here, signed by Chair of the committee, Frederick Seitz.

Catching up with RJ Palacio

An Interview with Wonder author, RJ Palacio

We are so excited that RJ Palacio granted a special Q&A for CCA. After celebrating #ChooseKind Day in October and working to bring awareness to bullying prevention, we wanted to catch up with our favorite author to see what she's been up to. We hope you enjoy this exclusive interview. 

CCA: You have written several “chapters” – books – after Wonder. What is it that you love about these characters specifically?

RJP: I very purposely chose the characters we hear from in Wonder because they helped expand the story of Auggie Pullman’s fifth grade year at Beecher Prep. Wonder is, after all, the story of Auggie Pullman in that one pivotal year of his life, and those kids whose lives intersect with his in that year. Having said that, there were other characters that had interesting stories to tell, that didn’t belong in Wonder but were still worth telling. Julian, most especially, had a narrative of his own, that doesn’t exculpate him from the mean things he did to Auggie, but gives his bullying a framework of understanding that allows him to feel like a more complete character.

CCA: You’ve seen a lot of the country and many schools by now. What’s one unique thing (or program) you love that a school or many schools are doing surrounding kindness?

RJP: In all honesty, there have been so many schools that I’ve visited that have done so much to promote kindness, that I’d serve no one well by singling one out. I’ve been overwhelmed by the creative ways teachers and librarians have adopted Wonder in the classroom and integrated its message of inclusiveness and tolerance with their students. From celebrating Auggie’s birthday on October 10th, to figuring ways of working Wonder into their curriculum, to read alouds and staged readings, to fundraising for organizations devoted to helping children around the world—the outreach and support has been incredible.

CCA: What does your family think of your writing? 

RJP: They’ve been so supportive throughout this process, and patient with all the traveling I’ve had to do in support of the book. My younger son especially, who is perhaps the most impacted by my absences, has been incredibly tolerant of “sharing” me. He’s in the 6th grade now, so a lot of his friends and teachers know about Wonder, of course. He’s a very well-grounded boy, though, so he’s the last one to point out a connection when new teachers, who don’t know he’s my son, might start talking to their students about this book called Wonder. His friends are the ones who point out a connection since he’s actually kind of shy about it.

CCA: For your own reading, do you prefer ebooks or traditional paper/hard back books?

RJP: Oh goodness, there’s no comparison! I only read ebooks when I have to because it’s not available in book form. I’m a person whose worked in book publishing my whole life, remember—as an art director and as an editor. I know that inherent in every printed book is a team of people who’ve made decisions about every aspect of the book’s physical form: what paper stock to use, what the title page will look like, will there be running heads and feet, what will the text font and leading be, how many pages will the book be, will it be a 5 ½ by 8 1/4 –inch trim size of a 6 x 9, hardcover or paperback, rough front edges of not, printed endpapers or colored, blind stamp on the front or foil, ribbon marker or not, etc. etc. Each printed book is a work of art and collaboration, that simply doesn’t happen with ebooks. If you appreciate that, and understand that printed books are part of a tradition that goes back five centuries, you would never equate the two. Now, I’m not saying ebooks are bad. They serve a purpose, and they have their own merits and a team of people behind their publication that work arduously to bring those books to light, too. I fully acknowledge some books are best read online or as ebooks. But if you’re asking me my preference, it will always be printed books.

CCA: What are you working on next (if you can tell us)?

RJP: Totally secret.

CCA: Well, as much as we are wonder-ing (womp womp), we know it will be exciting and fantastic! Thank you so much for catching up with us today!

Media Monday: Bianca Moon's Launch Party Story

Last week, during #ChooseKind week, Bianca Moon (CCA Adult) held her debut album launch party in Nashville, Tennessee. Her benefit party for CCA was covered on the news by the local Fox station, WZTV Fox 17. Thank you to everyone involved, especially Bianca and reporter Mikayla Lewis!

See the full video here.

Duck Dynasty's Missy Robertson Q&A for CCA

Today we have a very special treat on the blog! Missy Robertson, Mom of Duck Dynasty fame, is releasing her new book next week (October 6, 2015) and reached out to CCA to tell us a little bit more about the story, which includes embracing the cranio journey with daughter Mia, who was born with a cleft lip & palate. Known for their family and faith, the Robertsons desire to bring awareness and attention to children with facial differences and as such, wanted to be a part of Craniofacial Acceptance Month. Below you'll find CCA's exclusive interview with the author and some great photos, too. 

CCA: When did you start writing the book and what made you decide to write it? 

MR: I started writing this book, Blessed, Blessed... Blessed, with Beth Clark in November of 2014. The reason I wanted to write it was due, in part, to the overwhelming response our family received from the “Stand By Mia” episode of A&E’s Duck Dynasty that aired in March of 2014.  I didn’t realize how little people knew about this condition and about the stigma involved with cleft lip/cleft palate.  Because it is a facial deformity, it is difficult for people to talk about.  But because of the publicity of Mia’s surgery and the openness that our family has to expose our real lives, we were able to bring awareness to this condition and show how we’ve trusted in God to guide us through the entire journey with our daughter.

CCA: What would you say is your interesting writing quirk? 

MR: I write like I read, and I read like it’s in real time.  I like to picture the people that I’m reading about, and I imagine them actually talking to me so that I can fully understand it.  Since we don’t always talk in complete sentences, sometimes I write in broken sentences for emphasis.  I’m sure my editors don’t appreciate that quite as much as I do!

CCA: How did becoming a parent change you? 

MR: Jase and I waited almost five years before having our first baby, and I personally did many things to prepare for him.  I went to parenting classes at church, read parenting books and got much advice.  However, I soon realized that having a baby doesn’t just change your life, it can turn your whole world upside down!  Being solely responsible for another human life is an incredible responsibility; and until you engage in it yourself, you just can’t understand fully what it is like, no matter how much you prepare!

CCA: What advice would you give to new families just beginning the cranio journey? 

MR: The best advice I can give is to take each step or phase one at a time.  Do not get bogged down in the entire life-long plan.  Each child is different, and there is no way of knowing exactly what the future holds.  Enjoy the good times in between the hard times. There are many!

CCA: How do you celebrate the child you have and let go of “wishing for a normal life” for him or her? 

MR: When you truly love your child, it doesn’t take long to fully accept them the way they are and the way they were made.  At first diagnosis, when I was still pregnant, all I could think about what how to fix her or change her into what I believed she was supposed to be.  But after she was born and I began to know her as an individual with her own unique personality, it did not take long to realize how much I loved Mia just the way she was.  Sure, we needed to take care of her medical condition in order to give her the best quality of life possible, but we loved her solely for the fact that she was our daughter.

CCA: Can you elaborate on “fixable” vs. “manageable” problems? 

MR: Because neither Jase nor I knew anything about the condition of cleft lip/palate, we just assumed that you can just “fix” this problem like you do a broken bone or a bad cut.  Our eyes were quickly opened during our first visit to the International Craniofacial Institute in Dallas when Mia was 17 days old.  She was poked and prodded by surgeons, doctors and medical staff all day long- all looking for possible related conditions and syndromes.  Thankfully, nothing else was found with Mia, but we were also told that this would be a long journey, possibly until she stops growing in her teenage years, possibly longer.

CCA: How do you balance fiercely advocating and defending your child with modeling kindness and respect for others? 

MR: Thankfully, we have had very little negativity against Mia in her circle of life.  We have a strong church family, a wonderful Christian school and a very supportive physical family who all have Mia’s back when it comes to her condition.  The biggest negativity would probably come from social media.  For example, I chose to delete my Instagram account due to some mean and negative comments that young people would post about Mia. Other social media sites have proven to be very supportive and encouraging, like Twitter and Facebook.  I have to be very cautious about our public role and subjecting my daughter to undue negative and ignorant comments.  Again, this is another reason we would like to bring awareness to this condition.

CCA: What does your family think of your writing? 

MR: My family is super supportive about this book!  Jase helped me stay on point through every chapter.  He would read it and critique it before I turned it in to my editors.  My dad can only read a little at a time because he gets so emotional remembering each step of our journey.  My sisters-in-law have been encouraging and proud of how Mia has handled herself so far in this journey and know it is a story that should be told.  

CCA: For your own reading, do you prefer ebooks or traditional paper/hard back books? 

MR: I read both out of paper book and ebooks, just depending on how quick I can get my hands on something I want to read.

CCA: What is your favorite quote? 

MR: One of my favorite quotes is from a mentor of mine from over 20 years ago.  She said, “The best thing you can do for your children is to love their daddy.”  I have tried my best to put that into practice and show my kids how much I do love Jase.

CCA: What is your favorite book and why? 

MR: One of my favorite books at this time in my life is Bill O’Reilly’s “Killing Jesus”.  I was skeptical at first, but I decided to read it, and I am so glad I did.  It is told from an historical point of view and tells so much about the conditions and culture of the Jews before Jesus’ birth.  It truly showed me how much the people were crying out for a Savior to relieve them and redeem them and to save them from cruel and power-hungry Pharaohs and emperors.  I highly recommend it to everyone, Christian and non-believers alike.

CCA: How can readers discover more about you and you work? 

MR: Find me on the web at these locations below...

Website: missyrobertson.com 

Facebook: Missy West Robertson

Twitter: @missyduckwife

Blog: Devotional

Missy’s bio: Missy Robertson stars in the record-breaking reality television series A&E’s Duck Dynasty. She is a devoted mother, a sought-after public speaker, and the creator of her own clothing line. She participates in mission work in the United States and internationally, including serving with an orphanage in the Dominican Republic. She is cofounder of the Mia Moo Fund, an organization dedicated to raising awareness and funds to help domestic children and their families affected by cleft lip and palate. Missy and Jase have been married for twenty-five years and live in West Monroe, Louisiana, with their three children: Reed, Cole, and Mia.

Bid Now in Our CharityBuzz Auction!

We hope you'll check out our summer CharityBuzz auction that just launched yesterday. You'll find amazing vacations, golf packages, and celebrity experiences. All of these lots were generously donated to CCA and the money we raise through this online auction will help spread kindness across the country and assist families facing craniofacial issues.

Please share our auction with your friends and tell them to #GetBidding!

#EmotionRevolution for a Kinder Tomorrow

Last month, over 45,000 high school students from across the nation took the #EmotionRevolution survey, launching a youth-led movement to build a positive school climate. Along with the Born This Way Foundation and the Yale Center for Emotional Intelligence, we are all a part of the shared vision for a kinder tomorrow!

From coverage in Education Week to USA Today to Time, the #EmotionRevolution is already making a splash — and they're just getting started! 

 

Their work has led to a unique opportunity for young people to attend the Emotion Revolution Summit in October 2015. Using YOUR feedback, they're bringing together educators, academics, policy makers, and the fearless leaders of it all, Cynthia Germanotta and Lady Gaga, for a historic gathering to hear how young people currently feel in their schools, how they want to feel and what support they need to bridge that important gap.

 

Not only will the summit offer participants the chance to share their own experiences, it will also serve as the launch of a Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) Resource Center. In partnership with Facebook, this center will arm students with tools they can use to build happy, healthy and productive lives. 

 

Lady Gaga has said, “I think tolerance and acceptance and love is something that feeds every community.”  We couldn’t agree more.  But we can’t get there without you. Apply to attend the Emotion Revolution Summit. A kinder, braver world is possible and we hope you’ll play a part in the building of it.  

Cher's Inspiration

We know we have a ton of Cher fans at CCA!

Here are a few videos we wanted to "CHER" with you.
You see what we did there? ;)

Enjoy this fun video roundup.

While we know @Cher is an inspiration to Marc, we asked her what she is inspired by. https://t.co/VFooZUeJlN

— Marc Jacobs (@marcjacobs) July 7, 2015

Here's Cher's video message to all the families at Retreat...



And here's the #CCARetreat2015 Dinner Dance standing ovation we sent to Cher!



And the "Familiar Faces" of the awesome folks who have gotten to meet our celebrity spokesperson through the years send her a big wave!



Thanks to Cher and Paulette for getting us the video message all the way from Monte Carlo and a special thanks to Aaron Guzzo for the #CCARetreat2015 videos.

Finally, we leave you with this...

Ross Mathews, The More You Know

More and more folks are talking about bullying prevention and how to make our kids happier, healthier, and safer.

Check out comedian Ross Mathews and his videos on bullying, recently launched by Comcast & NBCUniversal for The More You Know.

video link

video link 

The More You Know features PSAs on several topics, including education and diversity.

We are so happy to see Ross spreading the #ChooseKind message from his platform - thank you, Ross!

#ThankfulThursday - #CherCrew

This #ThankfulThursday, we're grateful to the #CherCrew - Cher's biggest fans - who raised over $4600 for CCA Kids in honor of Cher's birthday, which was May 20.

WOW! We are so honored by your generosity and will use these funds to help more kids get scholarships to Retreat and financial assistance for quality medical care. Thank you!

Also, thanks to Scott Clarke for making another fun Cher Toon for us. Giving back is the best way to celebrate life, so thank you all for your generosity and hard work.

#ThankfulThursday - Country Stars Central

This #ThankfulThursday, CCA is thankful for our friend, Christian F. Scalise, of Country Stars Central and ShowBiz Deluxe for spreading the word about CCA Kids with everyone he meets!

Yep, those smiling faces are (from left top to right bottom): Kellie Pickler, Martina McBride, Marie & Donny Osmond, & Jo Dee Messina! Thank you all for spreading the #ChooseKind message!