Cassidy Hooper: The girl who was born without eyes and nose

Some weeks ago I wrote about Jessica Cox, the first licensed armless pilot and first armless black belt. Very recently I came across the story of Cassidy Hooper, a girl born without eyes and nose and I felt compelled to share it through this medium because she is an inspiration to me. As often as I come across inspirational stories, I will endeavour to share them via this medium. This is the story of Cassidy Hooper:

Cassidy Hooper, 16, of North Carolina was born with a rare and unexplained birth defect. Doctors can’t explain why Cassidy was born without eyes or a nose. Apart from this defect, she is otherwise healthy. Hers is a rare birth defect that likely occurred during the first two weeks of gestation. As a child, Cassidy was fitted with prosthetic eyes but the family has not been able to afford to replace the $5000-a-piece eyes as she outgrew them. She currently attends The Governor Morehead School in Raleigh, North Carolina, a residential K-12 school for the blind. There is no challenge that is too big for her: She runs on the track team and recently qualified for a scholarship to the Charlotte Curling Club. Despite her physical challenges, she hopes to pursue a career in radio broadcasting. Nothing has been able to withstand Cassidy's optimism and ambition. "Things always may be hard," Cassidy says, "but here's what I think: I don't need easy, I just need possible." 

Cassidy has been undergoing facial reconstruction surgeries since she was 11 years old and she is preparing to have reconstructive surgery that will allow her to smell and breathe through nostrils for the first time. The high school student is set to have three final surgeries in the next few weeks to give her her own nose. She is anxious and excited to get a nose. "I'll have a real nose like everyone else's," she says. She is the kind of person who lets you understand that your problems are nothing compared to the challenges you could be facing. Despite not having eyes and a nose like everyone else, she is determined to live her dream. Her mom says she is outgoing, affable, loves to talk and self-confident.

I don’t know what else to add to this story because if you are not inspired by it, I don’t think I will be able to do a very good of inspiring you. If a girl without a nose and eyes is not undaunted in the pursuit of her dream, then what about you? If a girl with such physical challenges has chosen to be upbeat about life, then what excuse do you have to be discouraged, frustrated or negative about life?