This Is Girl: Adalynn
According to 12yr old Adalynn’s mom: “Adalynn is one of the strongest and bravest little girls I know. She’s had ten surgeries [to fix the cleft palette she was born with] and numerous procedures. My daughter’s birth taught me that beauty is all around us. We are so consumed with what others tell us is beautiful, that we often forget to see it for ourselves. I never saw true beauty until the minute I first laid eyes on my daughter, Adalynn. Her birth made me realize that having a cleft really wasn't anything that was "wrong", but something that just was. She is a rockstar. Everything about her is perfect. Her tenacity, her eagerness to learn, the kindness she demonstrates to the world around her. She makes me a better person.”
Adalynn is a beautiful soul, someone who makes you feel comfortable in your own skin when you’re in her presence. It was beautiful to document her chill, kind personality. Her straight-forwardness in her interview is everything. :)
K: Tell me about your outfit? Why are you dressed like this today?
A: I’m wearing my basketball uniform because it doesn’t matter what you do in life to be a girl.
K: What makes you YOU? How are you unique?
A: Because I’m me and everyone is different. I am just doing the things I do because no one does it the exact same as I do.
K: What makes you happy?
A: Doing the things I like.
K: What makes you sad?
A: People saying that I can’t do the things I like to do.
K: Who is your favorite person right now?
A: My friend Alex because she’s always there for me.
K: What’s your favorite thing about yourself?
A: I’m happy.
K: What are your dreams?
A: To grow up and do what I like and not just what other people want me to do.
K: What does being a girl mean to you?
A: That you don’t have to wear girly clothes to be a girl. You can be yourself and still be a girl. You can do whatever you want and still be a girl.
** Stay tuned for a deeper story on Adalynn and her mom in a future post! **