Twisting and turning she admired herself in the full length mirror in the women's locker room. Today was gym day and she had purchased a new swimsuit for the pool. The color reminded her of the glorious turquoise water featured in photographs of Bora Bora and the Bahamas. The aquamarine matched her blue-green eyes; the color complimented her strawberry hair and her pale, freckled flesh, and the bikini.. well, the bikini showcased her unique torso.
She didn't have a belly button like most people; she had a large, jagged pale scar that traveled the length of her torso, from her diaphragm down to her lower abdomen, completely erasing any signs of a belly button. Smooth in areas, and puckered and raised in others, her scar is a sight to behold; it is her badge of honor, marking her as a survivor of a birth defect that required immediate surgery upon her entrance into this world.
She was born with gastroschisis, a birth defect causing the abdomen wall not to form properly, allowing her intestines to seep out of her insides and grow outside of her body. She has seen the photos and the videos... they are not very pretty to look at, and actually, rather disturbing. Seeing photos of her tiny self laid out on the medical table with her glistening red intestines spilling from her stomach and onto the table was a bit alarming, if she allowed herself to dwell on it. I mean, she could have died, right? Her family called her "their miracle baby."
She caressed her marred belly, feeling the smooth bits and the puckered ragged bits, smiling softly at her bravery. Thinking back to when she was younger, and ashamed of her scar. Other kids (and some adults) thought it was ugly; it became the prefect excuse to stare, point, and to taunt her. She was too ashamed to wear bikinis, or cute midriff tops; she kept her stomach covered at all times, otherwise she would be mocked and shunned. She has been called many things in her life: freak, Frankenstein, scar-girl, gross, ugly... it used to hurt... but not anymore.
Her scar is a reminder that she is a warrior... a survivor, and strong enough to overcome anything! Sure, her survival was largely due to the medical staff, as well as the love and support of her dedicated family, but she recognized that her survival was also a thing of her own inner strength and will. She was a fighter... she still is! Her stubborn tenacity and unique beauty set her apart, in more ways than one... but she knows she has a purpose in this lifetime... her scar tells her so!
With her head held high, and a twinkle in her eyes, she walked proudly into the pool area, bare bellied... and she owned it!
**This story was created for
Beautiful Freaks Fest by Magaly Guerrelo and inspired by my beautiful granddaughter who owns such a scar. She IS our miracle!
