Rebecca's Path to Authenticity
Through Jonathan Pitts-Wiley's lens at The Slate Studio, vulnerability becomes a strength as Rebecca Twitchell shares her journey. As the founder of half full, llc, a company dedicated to personal and professional development, Rebecca's story transforms from a young girl hiding her differences to a woman who leads with vulnerability and empowers others to do the same.
"I was born with symbrachydactyly syndrome – only two fingers on my left hand," Rebecca begins, her voice soft but steady. "And so growing up was really hard." The weight of those words hangs in the air, proof of years of struggle and self-doubt.
As a child in a creative, community-oriented family – her father a pastor, her mother an artist – Rebecca found love and acceptance at home. But the outside world was a different story. "When you start to get older, and the kids are teasing you, people are looking at you and pointing and making assumptions and judgments towards me and not knowing me," she recalls the sadness from those memories still evident in her voice.
These experiences led Rebecca down a path of hiding, both literally and emotionally. "I decided to hide it all the time because it was easier for me. I wanted people to meet me before they met my hand," she explains. This decision, while seemingly protective, came at a great cost. "It wasn't just the personal insecurity. Now I was anxiety-riddled daily because I was hiding it from everybody."
The impact of this constant vigilance was profound. "It really stopped me from growing into the professional that I could be because I didn't want to be seen. I didn't want to be heard," Rebecca admits. "If I was around a table, I wouldn't say anything because I didn't want eyes on me."
For years, this pattern persisted. Rebecca became adept at hiding her hand and keeping her secret from friends, romantic partners, and coworkers. But the toll on her mental health and self-esteem was immense. "I made it, I did that to myself, I know," she reflects, "but it just got worse for me."
The turning point came about 20 years ago when Rebecca decided that her self-imposed limitations were holding her back from her true potential. In a moment of courage, while preparing a presentation for a sales team, she decided to change the course of her life.
"I decided to just share my story with them and be vulnerable and lead with vulnerability," Rebecca says, her voice gaining strength as she recounts this pivotal moment. "And it was at that moment when I did that that I realized maybe I can actually control the narrative instead of letting my insecurities control the narrative …and maybe I can have a voice versus letting my insecurities control my voice."
This realization became the foundation for half full, llc, a company Rebecca started with the mission of helping people feel good about themselves and their teams in order to work effectively. "We are known for our workplace development services … workplace culture, team building, leadership development, skills development, etc.," she explains, her passion for her work is evident in every word.
At the core of half full's philosophy is the belief in leading with vulnerability and creating safe spaces for people to be their authentic selves. "We start with no judgment and ask questions, listen to understand," Rebecca says. This approach, born from her own struggles, has become a powerful tool for transformation in the workplace.
Rebecca starts reflecting on the journey that brought her to this point. "I never considered myself a leader," she admits. "I still don't really consider myself a leader." Yet, as she speaks about the impact of her work and the lives she's touched, it's clear that leadership comes in many forms.
She shares stories of the teams she's helped transform and the individuals who've found their voice through her workshops. "We offer our retreats and our workshops to teenagers in Rhode Island at no cost," Rebecca explains, her eyes lighting up. "That's so that we can pour into them so that they understand they're individual and they're unique and they have strengths and not to compare themselves to others."
Through half full's social impact model, Rebecca has touched countless lives, from corporate executives learning to lead with empathy to young people discovering their self-worth. She recalls moments of breakthrough, where participants finally shed their insecurities and embrace their unique qualities.
"I can share my story to the younger generations that it's possible. You have to get through it," Rebecca says, her voice filled with passion. "And it took me a long time, but I would never change that journey for me because I had to take that journey for me to heal and to forgive myself."
Rebecca's story is an excellent example of self-acceptance's power and vulnerability's transformative impact. From a child who hid her hand to avoid judgment, she's become a woman who uses her differences as a source of strength and inspiration for others.
"Trust the process," she says, offering advice to her younger self and anyone facing similar struggles. "Trust that it's going to be okay." Rebecca’s journey is far from over. It’s a journey of continual growth, learning, and empowerment.
As Jonathan captures these final moments, Rebecca's authenticity shines through every frame. As she continues to lead half full and impact lives across Rhode Island and beyond, her story is an excellent reminder that our most significant challenges can become our greatest strengths. Ultimately, it's not about hiding our differences, but embracing them, sharing our stories, and using our unique experiences to lift others.
We see the power of vulnerability, the importance of self-acceptance, and the transformative impact of leading with empathy. Like the company she's built, her story is indeed half full – not of limitations, but of possibilities.
