Portia Gabor writes
“Growing up as a child, I thought I looked perfect. Then one day, someone pointed out that I had big ears. That’s when my insecurities began. I was laughed at, and at some point, people gave me strange nicknames about my ears in school .
I lacked self-confidence and prayed to God.
One day, while doing my national service, my friends Augustina, Leo, and Jeff saw an advert on TV. TV3 was looking for a news anchor and journalist. They nudged me to apply because I had been reading to them, always pretending to be an anchor. I didn’t think I’d be chosen; my ears would be noticed, and people would laugh at me. That day, I was in a ponytail, and my ears stuck out. I had to quickly take a picture because it was the deadline for the application. I quickly did that and sent the letter to the reception of TV3. Thinking I would never be chosen…
The next day, I received a phone call from someone who introduced himself as Osei Boakye. He was then the news editor of TV3. He said, “I was going through the various applications and pictures, and guess what? Your ears caught my attention. They look exactly like my daughter’s ears . Can you come to TV3? I want to see you.”
I quickly rushed to TV3 to meet him in his office. He showed me his daughter’s picture. That moment turned out to be an impromptu and informal interview. Osei Boakye called me among other applicants, not because of my CV but because of my ears. Something I was teased about, something I tried to cover… At that moment, my ears were the gateway to my breakthrough; my insecurity became my security.
I don’t know who needs to hear this, but there are many of us who have dealt with physical insecurities, especially young ladies, feeling not beautiful enough, not happy about a scar or looks or even a physical challenge or a disability.
Sometimes it may not even be physical.
Perhaps a bad experience or a troublesome past that we want to hide.
You are worth more than your physical appearance.
May your physical appearance not hinder you from achieving your dreams.
And yes, you can learn to embrace it and love yourself.
In my case, my ears landed me a job, first before my CV and competence were even considered.
Again you are worth more than your physical appearance.”
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