#having a fucked up dental alignment has always been a major insecurity of mine and I hate how it's often used as an insult or joke

[ophanim-vesper]

Personally always hated the 'mouthbreather' insult. Having a cleft lip and palate meant my upper respiratory system makes it harder to breathe through my nose. My nasal passage is literally distorted and sometimes I can't even breathe at night while lying down, because my mouth instinctively closes while my nose is completely blocked. So, I had to resort to mouthbreathing, and that has been belittled and ridiculed and associated with being 'retarded' or generally stupid. Being born with a physical defect that literally makes it harder to breathe through your nose shouldn't be an insult. Having a chronic illness that makes it harder to breathe shouldn't be an insult. Needing to have a less socially accepted adaptation in order to LIVE shouldn't be an insult. Thank you for coming to my TEDTalk.