Cancer survivor girl teared up when bully asked her to hide her 'scary' scars—her mom's response inspired parents worldwide
Surviving something as shattering as cancer comes with many scars, pain and challenges. A person goes through a lot before they can be declared cancer-free and that stays with them. A mom named Michelle Russell shared how her daughter, Claire, was diagnosed with bone cancer at the age of four, as shared by Love What Matters. Having come through the battle, she was heartbroken to hear a classmate tell her to cover up her scars as they looked “scary.” When her mom learned of it, she decided to respond powerfully and it has uplifted many. Sharing in a post on Instagram, the mom revealed how tough the journey was.
“My daughter was diagnosed with cancer at four years old,” she wrote. The little girl missed out on many things a typical 4-year-old would do because she was fighting for life. “In the next year, she would endure more pain and suffering than most adults see in a lifetime,” the mom revealed. Through chemotherapy and other treatments, she lost much of herself. Because her tumor was between her ribs, touching her spine, she had huge scars on her back. These scars resembled her fight from 17 rounds of chemotherapy, multiple surgeries, including the removal of four ribs, part of her spinal sheath and a spinal fusion. They showed her unwavering strength to live life as a cancer survivor.
“I took home a frail, pale, bald, five-year-old, covered in scars,” the mom shared, adding that after years had gone by, she now has a young girl with the same enthusiasm and curiosity as any other. “She is an amazing overcomer,” Michelle remarked. However, she was constantly reminded directly and indirectly about how she was different. Recalling an instance, the mom mentioned how she gave Claire a tank top and shorts on a rushed morning. The girl politely declined and asked for another shirt. When asked why, she said, “A boy at camp told me I shouldn’t wear shirts that show my scars. He said they are scary.”
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The mom said, “I think what he meant was that the thought of what you must have gone through, to get those scars...is scary. Your scars are beautiful.” While Claire didn’t look convinced and had tears in her eyes, her mom assured her that she had “an incredible story,” with a powerful response. Sharing in a follow-up post, the mom said, “I want you to think about all the little girls like you that you have met, who are fighting cancer like you did, who will have scars like you...Do you want them to cover them up? Hide them?” The girl replied, “ No. I don’t want them to be sad.”
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Michelle then gave her the most positive remark she could — “Did you know that by being proud of your scars, you’re inspiring them to be proud of theirs too?” With this comfort, the girl walked out of her room with the tank top, ready to face the world with everything that made her who she was. Michelle later arranged for a photo shoot for her little girl that highlighted everything that made her who she was — including her scars. Posing in an off-shouldered dress and her upper back bare, the little girl received a comforting reminder — she was stronger and more beautiful than she would ever know.
Concluding boldly, the mom said, “I wish no child or adult would ever feel the need to cover their scars. If they do, I hope they remember that by not covering them, they are inspiring an 8-year-old girl to embrace her little body that beat cancer. Let’s teach our kids that imperfection is beauty. That bravery is beauty. That compassion is beauty.” Many people were inspired by the perspective and added their words of support. @karinarok wrote, "Beautiful proof of your strength. Wear it proudly." @makailanichols added, "You are so strong and beautiful! Never let anyone tell you differently! Keep on inspiring others and making a difference." @romilda2.tengeriova remarked, "She is so brave and beautiful."
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You can follow Claire Russell (@prayersforclaire) on Instagram for more content on family and empowerment.