A Very Special Mary
Imagine how you would feel if you had no hands or feet. How would you get around your house? What would it be like in school? How would you feed yourself or put on your clothes? This is the story of a very special girl named Mary.
   
Mary was born without any hands and feet. She had to learn to do everything with her tongue, teeth, and lips. She feeds and dresses herself that way. She gets around by sliding on her bottom. It was amazing for me to see her put on her gym clothes. I rushed to help because I was sure she needed me. She said in her sweet voice, "Bianca, just sit and enjoy your juice."

I was amazed how quickly and neatly her teeth got it done. She had a big smile on her face. Mary is friendly, happy, and has a lot of friends, just like me. Do not try to tease her because she has a sweet way of handling it. She never gets upset by people's stares or questions but explains why she looks the way she does.

Mary's unique talent is painting the most wonderful pictures by holding the paintbrush between her teeth. One of her paintings is proudly displayed in my room and in the bedrooms of all her friends. She paints more than 365 paintings a year. She gives away most of them and sells a few to a gallery in New York City. She earns a lot of money, which her parents keep in her bank account. I believe the president even owns one of her paintings!

Mary teaches me a lot of things. I've learned to be grateful for my hands and feet, and to do the best I can with them. She also teaches me to be happy with what I have and never give up. I've learned that it's possible to make sweet lemonade out of very sour lemons. Think of your most important body part. Could you succeed in life without it? Mary has, and you can, too.