Children and teens are often told to celebrate their imperfections and quirks, yet whether it be in magazines or out on the playground, negative comments are still made about people because they are “different.”
Cassandra Naud knows all too well about people treating her differently because she didn’t look like her peers.
While Naud says that she now fully embraces the birthmark, which covers the majority of her right cheek, she didn’t always have the confidence that she does today.
When she was a baby her parents toyed with the idea of having the birthmark removed, but ultimately decided to leave it alone. They taught their daughter to love her facial birthmark even though others might not.
Throughout school Naud, now a professional dancer, was bullied, and even considered having the birthmark surgically removed before she started high school.
Today she is glad that she decided not to pursue the surgery and she says that if given the opportunity to completely remove it with no chance of scarring, she still wouldn’t go forward with the surgery.
Naud feels that it gives her an “edgier” look; she even credits her birthmark for helping her to get jobs as a dancer and a model.
With the great self-confidence this dancer has developed, it is obvious that she is not going to let any negative comments about her appearance affect her!
