Cassandra Naud
Her parents were faced with two choices when they saw that Cassandra had a huge, dark birthmark on the right cheek. They could either have it surgically removed or leave it be. They decided to leave it there, which is a choice that Cassandra is thrilled about. According to her, this facial feature only “makes me unique and memorable, which is especially important for the career I’ve chosen.” However, it has not always been like this. When she was 13 years old, this professional dancer was bullied at school. “Their cruel remarks were hard to deal with and I’d often fight back tears. I felt ugly—even if only for that moment,” she shared. She now has 40,000 followers on Instagram! “People should appreciate their individuality,” she went on. “Times are changing, so don’t worry about looking normal. Don’t let bullies stop you and be proud of your uniqueness.”
Cassandra Naud
Sarah Taylor
“When I was really little, I didn’t even realize that I looked different from other kids around me,” said Sarah Taylor. “Growing older, it became more difficult, especially during middle school.” When she was a teenager, Sarah was bullied for what she now believes is her best feature. Everything change when she started high school. “Soon my birthmark became an afterthought when I considered traits that made me ‘me.’ Loving my birthmark really just went along with me learning to love myself—physically, mentally, and emotionally. I realized at some point that no one would ever look like me—and that was cool,” she explained. We are glad to hear that she is now using her platform to spread self-love among girls!
Sarah Taylor
