A two-year-old who has a facial birthmark had the best response when a group of kids started whispering when they saw her at pre-school.
On Lydia’s first day at pre-school she had “fresh bruising” on her face due to treatment to keep the birthmark healthy.
Lydia noticed some of her new classmates staring and whispering about her. But she wasn’t fazed.
“Instead of getting upset or self-conscious, Lydia simply walked over to her cubby, pulled out the copy of ‘Sam’s Birthmark’ and handed it to her teacher to read to the class,” wrote Lydia’s mum Kelly Wilson Bossley on Love What Matters Facebook page.
‘Sam’s Birthmark’ is a book written by a couple, Martha and Grant Griffin, whose son was born with a mark covering the right side of his face.
The parents, from Texas, US, thought there was a need for a children’s book with a main character who had a birthmark to teach kids to embrace differences.
Bossley continued: “She [Lydia] isn’t even three yet but her resilience and ability to self-care blows me away.
“I cried nearly the entire way to work - not because I worry how her peers will treat her in the years to come, but because I know this girl is gonna do big things!”
After Bossley shared her story on Facebook, the author of ‘Sam’s Birthmark’, Martha Griffin, commented showing her joy.
“I am the author of Sam’s Birthmark and when I see posts like Lydia I tear up,” she wrote.
“Connecting with birthmark parents from around the world has been truly amazing. Our goal is too spread birthmark awareness and acceptance.”
Many more parents were encouraged to share photos of their children with facial birthmarks, and said they felt comforted by Bossley’s post.
“Thank you for this Kelly,” one mother wrote. “My son has a birthmark similar to Lydia’s and this has given me hope that he can one day too stand up for himself.
“I guess I just need to have more faith in him!”