After the accident, which had damaged some of the nerves and muscles connected to my right eye, I couldn't open my eye at all. I had an operation to help the muscles when I was about one, but it didn't help my vision at all. Until I was twelve I would have to wear a patch over my left eye, which would force my right eye's vision to improve.

Let me say this: wearing a patch over your eye for a few hours a day for twelve years is more frustrating and annoying than I could even begin to explain. Just think about it. I mean, if you could even go ten minutes for one day in the same situation…I can't even say how extremely overwhelmingly frustrating it is. Especially if you are a tough little two year old, as I was. Sometimes I just refused to wear the infamous patch, but it was crucial if I ever wanted my vision to improve.

Elementary school was a nightmare at times. Some kids would stare straight at me, and it's not like I could hide my eye from them or anything. It was right there, practically screaming, "Hey, look at me! I'm a freak. While being gawked at and studied like some kind of laboratory specimen, I became so embarrassed and ashamed that I got used to never looking anyone in the eye. Today, most of my peers are more mature and don't stare like children do. But I still struggle with it, and often it takes all of my will power just to return somebody's gaze.

Through all the pain, though, I've definitely become a lot stronger. My eye gives me character. It gives me compassion for those who are discriminated against because I know how if feels to be the target of discrimination. It gives me the power to see true beauty. Through my eye, I see things I wouldn't have been able to see if I were just like everyone else.**by Cherokee Raven from Massachusetts

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