Faces of Long Island celebrates the uniqueness of everyday Long Islanders. In their own words, they tell us about their life experiences, challenges and triumphs. Newsday launched this social media journey into the human experience to shine a light on the diverse people of this wonderful place we call home.

‘No matter how many times people poked fun at me, I realized I was kind of gifted.’

Jayden Pearl, Massapequa Park

“I was born after 20 weeks, at 2 pounds and 15 ounces. I had atrial septal defect. I was intubated at birth because I had subglottic stenosis. My airway was closed 48 percent when I was 2. I was diagnosed with asthma and food allergies.

“When I was in the fourth grade, I did autoimmune therapy for a peanut allergy, and it was successful. It was very rough growing up because I had to sit at the peanut-free table. Kids made fun of me. Dealing with my asthma is unfortunate because I play a lot of sports, including dek hockey.

“When I ran my airways were closing up. I have to use my inhaler before every game. Even though I still have these problems, I made it onto Team USA. Last June, I represented our country to play in the Men’s 3vs3 World Cup in Canada.

It was very rough growing up because I had to sit at the peanut-free table. Kids made fun of me.

“During quarantine in my freshman year, I started singing along to all of the music I would hear. My mom wanted me to audition for the school musical. I got lead roles in ‘Footloose’ and ‘Mamma Mia!’ in my junior and senior years. I learned that I love to perform, and that I’m always open to criticism. I struggled with projecting and being loud because of the scar damage on my left vocal fold from being intubated.

“Through working with vocal teachers and therapists, I know I’m going to get the best out of what I have. No one should let physical or mental challenges get in the way.

“My mom also convinced me to keep up with playing the cello. I stuck with it and played with the Five Towns College Symphony. This led me to teach myself how to play the guitar and ukulele. Learning that I could sing and play music showed me I want to be a vocal teacher and share my joy for music.

“Now I’m going to the Aaron Copland School of Music at Queens College. When I was younger I always thought, ‘Why can’t I be normal?’ No matter how many times people poked fun at me, whether for my allergies or any of the physical things I had, I realized I was kind of gifted with it all. I’ve learned you have to face the challenges as they come.

“If people don’t like who you are it doesn’t matter because there will be a wave of people who do like you. The greatest judge of who you are is really yourself.”

Interviewed by Iris Wiener

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Faces of Long Island is produced by Newsday Consumer Marketing. This content does not involve the reporting and editing staff of Newsday’s Editorial Department.