Aimi Jackson, who suffers from a rare facial disorder known as cystic hygroma, writes of how she has no friends and how sad she is.
Aimi is nine years old.
I guess if I had been born without these cysts and tumors on my face, I would have a much different life. I would probably have friends coming out of the woodwork, and I would be much happier than I am now.
My name is Aimi Jackson, and I am nine years old. I have what is known as cystic hygroma, which is why my face looks so deformed; and why I breathe with a hole in my throat. The tumors are located in such a way that removing them would be risky; so I just have to learn to live with them and pray that they don't go cancer on me.
Because of my facial problems, I don't have a lot in the way of friends, and it really hurts me. I don't know why people don't want to take the time to get to know me and find out that what I have ISN'T contagious! But my funny-looking face stops people in their tracks, and it scares them; and because of it I am often lonely. The only friends I DO have are Johnny and Ronee' Sandusky, who live a few streets down from me, and I also have my stuffed animals to keep me company. But most kids would rather just tease me and call me nasty names; and I really don't like going to school all that much because of all the teasing I have to endure. Each day I hear kids call me names like "Cabbage Patch Aimi" or "Chipmunk Cheeks" or "Funny-Faced Aimi" (or worse), and sometimes the teasing gets so bad I come home from school in tears, or else I get so upset I end up throwing up because my nerves just can't handle it anymore. The only time I am ever truly happy is when I am home by myself or if I am with Johnny and Ronee' because I know THEY won't tease me, and they have accepted me as their friend; and I think that is very nice.
I would love to have many more friends than what I do, as I am often lonely, and I find myself staying home, bored out of my mind. I would love to go rollerskating or do things with others, but my face is such a problem, and people just can't learn to accept me for what I am on the inside instead of just looking on the outside. This is when I am really at my saddest or at my loneliest, and it is at times like this when I wish I was dead. At least, if I were dead, I wouldn't have to worry about people teasing or making fun of me.
heartbreaking...just because someone isn't considered "normal" is no reason not to try to be their friend...powerful lessons in this story...well written, well done! (((HUGS))) and love, karla. :)
Gary Grasshopper and friends travel to another field to celebrate the birthday of Gary's best friend, Freddie Firefly. While there they encounter a group of cicadas who have been underground for thirteen years.
