Cara Smith was diagnosed with a brain tumour as a toddler. Here, she tells us how the past is helping shape her future.
My name is Cara. I'm 19 years old and was diagnosed with an optic pathway glioma brain tumour at the tender age of 21 months. Growing up hasn't been an easy journey, with many trips to hospital, numerous rounds of chemotherapy, periodic medical interventions, several operations, and more.
Over the years, I’ve also faced many prejudices and at times my cancer has been something of a stigma. If you’re disabled, or have medical conditions, some people form opinions of you. Having not been through a similar situation, they might not understand who you are or what you are capable of and this has been a huge hurdle I’ve had to overcome. But just because some people may have certain assumptions, it doesn’t mean you’re less worthy or capable of achieving anything you desire to.
When I was 14, my teachers implied it was highly likely I’d fail my GCSEs because I’m blind and had missed a lot of school because of health complications. This made me feel extremely sad and worthless, and that I was never going to accomplish my dreams and fulfil my aspirations. But me being me, with a burning passion inside, I was determined to prove them wrong!
I moved to a new school for children and young adults with varying degrees of visual impairments. It was a place where teachers helped you strive to do and be anything you dream of and, more importantly, to believe in yourself. I’m proud to say that with their support, I passed every exam! From then on, I started to believe in myself more and realised there was hope for the future. It was a fresh chapter, and the new and exciting beginning I’d been craving.
I’d be lying if I said my journey hasn't been a challenge, but I strongly believe my tenacious personality and optimistic outlook on life from an early age has helped me through. Sure, I've felt isolated from the world and often wondered what it would’ve been like to have been young and free as a child, instead of being so 'different' to others my age. But that's my journey and it’s made me stronger and hopefully much more understanding as a person.
"I’d be lying if I said my journey hasn't been a challenge, but I strongly believe my tenacious personality and optimistic outlook on life from an early age has helped me through."
It's taught me a lot, too, not least that it’s crucially important to live every day as if it's your last. By that, I mean not wasting precious time and energy worrying about things we can't change or control. Equally so, we shouldn't be worrying about what may or may not be in store for us.
I’ve also learnt it’s important to accept the past for what it is and move on. I try to live my dreams and be the best person I can be and, despite some of the hardships I’ve faced, I try not to be bitter, as it can eat you up inside. Instead, I focus on the future, taking small and steady steps to make it a brighter and happier place for everyone.
My advice to others is to enter into new things with a fresh outlook and an open heart. Try and wish everyone well, even those who’ve made you feel angry and upset. Give and accept love and have respect for yourself and others. Once you grasp the art of doing this, in my opinion, you’re halfway there.
And just remember: you are loved, you are strong, you are brave and you will get there - wherever there may be!
From Contact magazine issue 94 - Spring 2022
