When Elliot Costello and a group of other people visited Cambodia, he had an encounter with a young girl named Thea.
Little did Elliot know that this encounter would have an impact so profound on him that it would help start a movement whose goal is to end sexual abuse against children.
Namely, Thea always had nail polish on her tiny nails. One day, as she and Elliot chatted, she asked to paint one of his nails. He agreed and was happy to speak to the chatty girl, but he then learned that she was once a victim of sexual abuse.
“As she painted one of my nails, I assured her I would always keep it that way to remember her, and by extension, her suffering,” Elliot said.
This motivated Elliot to try and make positive change among men so that less and less children fall victims of sexual abuse.
That is when he came up with the movement called #PolishedMan where men put nail polish on one of their nails. That one nail represents the one in five children who will be victims of sexual violence.
Polished Man works towards ending sexual violence against children. According to the organization, “being a Polished Man means challenging violent behavior and language, both locally and globally.”
Elliot believes that since men are responsible for 96% of this type of violence against children globally, they should be catalyst for change if we are ever to see an end to the abuse of innocent children.
The goal with the painted nail isn’t just to remind people of the number of children who are abused every single day, but to serve as a conversation starter about this reality, leading to new ideas about prevention. He also hopes that people will start donating to “support educational programs and resources for child survivors of abuse,” as per APlus.
We hope that more men, including celebrities
Mia Robertson is visibly emotional, unable to contain her tears. “We will all miss him so much…” Dive into the comments for more insights.
Mia Robertson, the youngest child of Duck Dynasty members Jake and Missy Robertson, was born with cleft lip and palate, a birth defect characterized by an opening in the top lip that may also affect the gums.
Approximately one in every 1,600 newborns born in the United States has a cleft lip and cleft palate, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Sweet Mia, now eighteen, has had to endure 13 operations due to her ailment; the fourteenth one was just completed a short while ago. The family sincerely hopes that this will be Mia’s final procedure before her issue is resolved.
The young child stays upbeat through each surgery. Above all, she aspires to be an encouragement to other young children who share her condition at birth. Mia started the Mia Moo Fund on her own initiative and with the support of her family to help ensure that every child has a smile on their face.
Missy Robertson told Christian Post, “One of the Mia Moo Fund’s functions is to spread awareness of the cleft lip and palate journey.””The other one is to assist in providing medical funds for the families and parents who are currently residing in America.”
Jase Robertson provided an update on Mia’s status and mentioned that his daughter is healing nicely on his podcast, Unashamed.
“She’s doing fantastic. He declared, “She’s turned a corner,” and went on, “Everything seems great, seems to be fine.”
The devoted father informed his listeners on his podcast, “Surgery went a little longer than expected, but she is home and recovering.” “We appreciate your prayers for her and our family. She truly is a champion!
Prior to the procedure, Missy discussed her daughter’s health and mentioned that she had been questioned frequently about how many procedures Mia will require going forward. “We simply don’t know is the only response that is ever given,” Missy stated. She continued by saying that they look to God for support. “Since turning eighteen, she has assumed the initiative in all conversations and medical paperwork. It’s been a bit peculiar,” Missy penned. However, it serves as yet another reminder to rely on the Lord and recognize that I am not in charge.
In addition, Mia wishes to be at “the finish line.”
“Hopefully this will be the last time I see my physicians like this! We’ve come to the end of the journey, brave Mia remarked.
As they welcome a child whose mother is unfit to care for them into their hearts and home, the Robertson family has also been getting ready for a new member.
We hope Mia heals quickly.
Please use Facebook to SHARE this post with your loved ones.
Leave a Reply