A birthday more special than most

A week ago today, Sept. 14, was my 18th birthday. A day, according to my cousin Liz, that I officially become recognized by society.

There have been so many people, family and friends aalike, that tell me how happy they are that I made it this far. Yes, you may think, everyone's 18th birthday is a big deal. So how is mine any different? Because I wasn't supposed to have it.

I was born premature, with several birth defects that I have mentioned in previous columns. Not everyone thought that I would come as far as I have. Growing up, no one even imagined that I would live a normal life.

If you look at me, you usually can't tell that there is something wrong with me unless you look extremely close and try to find an abnormality. I've known people who, for many years, didn't realize I was born without my right thumb. Of course, now that I've said it, everyone's going to be looking at my right hand very closely. But I don't care.

There are so many things that people my age have taken for granted. Things like driving. Trust me, when I started driving everyone thought I wouldn't be able to do it because of how small I am (4 feet, 6 inches and shrinking), and the absence of my thumb. I am proud to say I have proved these people wrong.

These days, I am able to go to school instead of going through Cape Girardeau's homebound tutoring program like I have in the past. I work now, and I even run a crochet charity group! The four pound baby born at 6:01 in the morning on Sept. 14, 1986, has gone farther than anyone ever thought she would.

I wanted to write this column for many reasons. One of them is because I wanted to thank everyone who has made a big difference in my life and who pushed me forward to succeed. Even though I can't mention every single person (I have a word limit, after all) , I would like to offer the biggest thank you I can to my parents, my grandparents (Jack, I miss you), and a group of friends called the Ra-Ras, most of whom I've known since kindergarten. To everyone I didn't mention, I hope you know who you are. You all made me a great kid; now I just hope I can be a great adult!

Emily Hendricks is a senior at Central High School in Cape Girardeau.