July 1.

Parry-Romberg Syndrome (PRS)
- a condition that attacks skin, bones, and muscles on one side of the face. It is a rare neurocutaneous syndrome characterized by progressive shrinkage and degeneration of the tissues beneath the skin, usually on only one side of the face but occasionally extending to other parts of the body.

I saw my classmate brought an issue of the famous Reader's Digest and I borrowed it  from her during one of our class. Mahilig talaga akong magbasa. Literally. Anything with written or printed words, I read it. :DD At eto na nga. I'd read an article on RD about a girl who's experience is beyond normal from the life of other happy teenage girls.

The article talks about Kelly, a girl who has this rare disorder called Parry-Romberg Syndrome. Ito daw 'yong syndrome na umaatake sa one side of the face making it waste away. And that's what happened to Kelly. "Little by little, her right eye is sinking in its socket. One side of her button nose is shrinking and twisting. Her lips has lifted up, as if frozen into a perpetual sneer." at ito ang dahilan kung bakit naging miserable ang buhay niya.

Bullying has inspired no one.

She was teased by friends and neighbors. They looked at her as if she was an alien; having that deformed face and etc. Her classmates teased and bullied her, making her depressed and lonely. Mahirap mabully sa klase. 'Yung tipong iniiba ka ng mga kaklase mo dahil feel nilang hindi ka belong sa kanila. It's like your difference to them makes you an outcast on their circle.

I felt a burning feeling on my throat and a little tear in my eyes as I continually read Kelly's story. It was like realizing that even people with some disorders who try to live in a normal way without bothering other's lives are still being misjudged and treated as if it's their fault having those conditions. Minsan, kahit lahat na ng paliwanag ay sinabi na nila, may mga tao talagang makitid ang utak at hindi iniintindi ang nangyayari. Mga taong sarado ang pag-iisip at hindi man lang magawang buksan upang tumuklas at umintindi sa sitwasyon ng iba.

Hope can be found in an unexpected place, in an unexpected time, from unexpected people.

Kelly was forced to leave their home and moved to another place. And there she found new happiness and hope. The people on their new neighborhood were friendly enough and were able to understand her condition. Kelly was surprised and almost cried in happiness to find people who were like that. Mga bagong kakilala na hindi nag-atubiling tanggapin kung ano siya at bigyan siya ng pagkakataong mamuhay sa paraang gusto niya.

I was glad that Kelly had found the right place with people who accepted who and what she is. Natupad ang pangarap niyang sana tanggapin siya ng mga tao sa kung anong nasa loob niya at hindi sa anong kaanyuan niya. Nakatagpo siya ng mga bagong kaibigan na nagbigay ng pag-asa sa kanyang buhay. (And I'm really thankful that I've chosen to read the RD on the first day of the month. This might be a good inspiration to live the second half of the year.)

***

Everyone deserves a normal and happy life.

Kelly deserved one. And no one has the right to restrain it from her. At kahit sino man ay may karapatang mamuhay nang payapa at marangal. (drama ng bongga) Maling-mali ang manghusga ng iba kung alam natin sa ating sarili na hindi naman tayo perpekto. Hindi tamang iparamdam natin sa iba na hindi sila tanggap sa lipunan at wala silang lugar sa kung saan tayo nakapwesto. Hindi tayo binigyan ng mata upang humusga ng kapwa. Hindi tayo binigyan ng bibig upang magsabi ng mga salitang nakakapanakit ng damdamin. Hindi tayo binigyan ng utak upang sa maling nosyon at ideya lang natin gugulin ang ating isipan para sa ating kapwa. Hindi masama ang magkomento sa ating nakikita. Pero pag sobra na sa limitasyon ay hindi na tama. May mali man sa ating kakilala, kaibigan o kahit ang ating kapamilya, tao pa rin sila, umiiyak, nasasaktan, nawawalan ng pag-asa.

Sometimes, it's all there... just within us.
(photo by tumblr.com)