Many people with the disease Winston Ben Clements has don't live past childhood. But not only has he managed to push past his health restrictions, he's also found love.
Little chance to live past childhood
You know how much it hurts to break a leg? Try doing that every single month for 12 years.
Winston Ben Clements was born with a rare disease that makes his bones brittle, called Osteogenesis Imperfecta (OI), which has led to some 200 bone fractures in his life, according to his website. But he refused to let his health issues limit his life.
Clements is a university graduate, a consultant and a world-renowned public speaker with his own TED Talk.
But there was something Clements wanted and didn't have, until he did — a wife and a family.
Finding true love
In November 2020, Winston married Mayfair in what looked like a beautiful ceremony.
Linda Ikeji's Blog shared Mayfair's words of how she met — and fell in love with — Winston.
"I remember the exact moment I fell in love with you. We had just wrapped up our first @tldmmastermind event and we could both feel it in our bones - we’d stumbled on something magic," she wrote.
"After that we talked the whole night, too tired and too connected to filter anything
and for the first time I saw you. Like really saw you. Not as the speaker. Not as the motivator. Not as the guy in the wheelchair. Not even as my friend."
"I saw you," Mayfair continued. "And I almost couldn’t believe just how beautifully God formed your soul. We were still friends at this time (he was deeeeeep in the friend zone). But I can’t lie, all I kept thinking was - 'wow this man is going to make an incredible dad and husband.'"
Shortly thereafter, Winston told Mayfair, “I want you on my team forever” and night months later they made it official.
Blowing past obstacles
It's no wonder Clements has become so famous around the world. Many people with OI don't make it past childhood, but like Stephen Hawking before him, he has broken through his health barriers to become a successful, motivating individual. Now, he's also a husband defying stereotypes about true love. Congratulations to both Winston and Mayfair!
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Military Dad Defends His 4 Little Daughters When Strangers Make This Rude Remark
Military Dad of 4 Daughters Defends His Girls When Strangers Make This Rude Remark
Austin von Letkemann is the military officer strangers feel "sorry" for — and the reason is infuriating.
Whenever the devoted father leaves the house with his four children, strangers can't help but notice the officer in uniform is holding hands with 4 adorable little girls. They will tell the traditionally "masculine" and "all American" dad they feel sorry for him, because he has no sons. This dad makes one thing very clear: They are his daughters, they aren't a burden.
In a passionate video, von Letkemann took to Instagram to share with his followers that the only thing that's "difficult" about being a girl dad — is clapping back to these sexist remarks over and over again.
They Mock His Daughters To Their Face
When strangers approach Austin von Letkemann and his four daughters, they don't always realize that their comments are being overheard. They seem oblivious to the fact that his girls understand every word. Von Letkemann describes how people will approach him and, without thinking, make remarks like "I'm sorry" or even joke about his lack of sons. What they don't realize is that these comments, intended to be light-hearted or humorous, can be deeply hurtful to his daughters. These strangers are not just disrespecting von Letkemann's choices as a father; they're also sending a message to his daughters that their presence is something to be pitied. It’s a message that von Letkemann won't stand for, and he's speaking out to defend his girls from these insensitive remarksSaying "Get Your Shotgun" Isn't Funny — It's Sexist
Another common comment that Austin von Letkemann encounters is the old "better get your shotgun ready" trope, often delivered with a smirk or a wink. This line is typically intended to suggest that a father with daughters should be on high alert to protect them from potential "suitors," implying that they are objects to be guarded rather than individuals with agency.
Von Letkemann finds this line of thinking outdated and sexist. In his viral Instagram video, he points out that these jokes are not just stale — they're damaging.
By suggesting that his daughters require armed protection, the joke reinforces the idea that women are inherently vulnerable and need to be shielded from men. Von Letkemann argues that instead of promoting this narrative, society should focus on teaching respect and consent, challenging these sexist tropes at their source.
Watch Austin von Letkemann's Video:
"If I Had A Fifth Child, I'd HOPE It Was A Girl" — One Dad's Message For Other Parents
Despite the constant remarks about his lack of sons, Austin von Letkemann is clear: He wouldn't trade his daughters for anything.
In fact, he told his Instagram followers that if he were to have a fifth child, he would hope for another girl. This declaration isn't just about doubling down on his pride in his family — it's a pointed response to those who see fathering daughters as a misfortune.
Von Letkemann's stance is a powerful one, rejecting the notion that a family is incomplete without sons. He encourages others to question the assumptions behind these comments and to appreciate the joy and fulfillment that his daughters bring. By sharing his story, von Letkemann hopes to create a more inclusive perspective on fatherhood, one that values daughters just as much as sons.