A facial malformation which led her, despite her famous last name, to suffer intimidation and always feel “different”: Camilla Mancini daughter of football coach Roberto, told her story in a moving monologue to The Hyenas. A testimony made of pain and scars not yet healed, but in which there is always room for hope and the courage to feel free.
Camilla Mancini’s monologue The Hyenas
In the moving monologue performed at The Hyenas Camilla Mancini spoke of the “diversity” that has always accompanied her: “Tonight, I want to imagine that this camera is a mirror and to look straight into my eyes, even if it’s not easy. For years I fought against my image avoiding looking at myself, but now I want to try. I see myself, Camilla, and I would like to say to her: Smile, you are courageous. I never told you because I was too strict, I had an idea of perfection which – now I know – was unattainable” are the first words of his monologue.
A difficult story, in which there is no shortage of references to acts of intimidation suffered during childhood: “Do not be afraid, everything will happen as it should: some dreams you come true, others will be broken, but just one is enough to feel immense joy. I know your instinct is to stay where you are, in the shadows, but that’s not right, just like it’s not right to suffer from what has been with you since the age of seven. It’s bad to know how much words can hurt. You can’t play with us. You are different. Why do you have a mouth like that? There is no privilege stronger than pain, nor name, advantage or shield which can protect against suffering.
Yet, despite everything, there is hope: “But it must be said THANKS also to these people because you are desperate without ever giving up. You were sad, bitter and desolate but never alone and today I still feel the love of those who were close to me in the darkest times. You’re right, I am different and I’ve felt that all my life. I decided to share my experiences also to support those who are going through a similar situation and suffering in silence. I decided that panic attacks and anxiety, silent enemies, were making me realize that now was the time to allow myself to be vulnerable. It’s almost scary but I want to trust myself, I want to try. Mine is not a war and, if it ever was, it is over. I can take off the armor,” the speech continues.
Finally, Camilla concludes her monologue with a very powerful message: “I am free. My name is Camilla Mancini and I am beautiful and courageous. I tell myself that. And that’s good.”
Who is Camilla Mancini
Camilla Mancini, born in 1997, is the daughter of former Italian coach Roberto Mancini. Due to a complication during childbirth, she was born with a facial paralysis which caused an asymmetry in his face: the right side of his face, in fact, being damaged, has reduced mobility compared to the left side. A trait that led to Camilla being bullied as a child, but that didn’t stop her from pursuing her dreams.
The girl chose to tell her story in the book You are a butterfly, published by Mondadori: “I shared my experience not for publicity, as some thought, but to reach out to those who are still suffering and to give strength to those who, like me, experienced the same pain. Bullying is a social scourge, it leaves a very deep emotional scar and there are still children who commit suicide today because of bullies,” explained the 27-year-old young man. An important testimony, which highlights light a real emergency in the country.