A year and a half ago, I was 38 weeks pregnant and suddenly developed Bell's Palsy. For most people, facial paralysis caused from Bell's is not permanent and they usually recover fully 5 weeks to most 6 months. However for me, it has been 15 months and I still have 25% to go. Bell's Palsy changed my appearance drastically, and for a while it made me felt really self conscious whenever I smile, laugh, and eat. Also whenever I saw anyone, I always felt the need to explained to them what had happened to me because I was insecure about my appearance. I would find myself explaining to them " my old smile use to be bigger than Julia Roberts". It took me over a year to embrace my Bell's appearance and to feel confident in myself again.
With the smiley face trend making a come back, every time I see the “perfect curve”, I couldn’t help but to think my “imperfect curve” is worthy to be shared to the world, too. My old smile may be bigger than Julia Roberts, but my new smile is much brighter. My Bell's Smile has helped me practice gratitude, gave me the courage to quite my day job and pursue my true passion of owning my own business (Alla Luna Baby). It reminded me that when life throws me lemons, I have the power to make lemonade. All of these reasons lead me to creating the Bell's Palsy Smiley Face.
Bells Palsy affected the right side of my face. It made me unable to lift my smile to smile fully, hence the crooked smile. It also prevented my right eye from opening fully, hence the smaller right eye. I designed a smiley face of my actual Bell's Smile and created a line of Positivi-TEEs in hope to spread kindness, words of encouragements, promote self love, encourage women to embrace every version of themselves, and for it to be a reminder that when life gives you lemon, YOU too can make lemonade.
This first line of Positivi-TEEs will include basic tees, long sleeves, and sweatshirts for adults, as well as the mini sweatshirts for babies and toddlers. All the designs are original designs created by me. My hope is that these pieces will bring you positivity when you need it, and for it to be a reminder to always make lemonade.
Love,
Kim
Founder + Creative Director of Alla Luna Baby