I take my son to therapy sessions three times a week. A couple of weeks ago I was in the waiting room and a new patient came in. I'll call her M. I was shocked to see that her face was very disfigured. She had a gaping hole where her nose should have been. I did my best not to look at her. I knew she was uncomfortable about her looks too because she held her hand in front of her face. She went onto her session and her mother waited for her.

The next time she was in another one of the children saw her and started asking question. I'll call her Z. She wasn't being mean - she's an incredably outgoing and friendly child. "Where's your nose - what happened to your face? What's your name? We can be friends."

Later after the first child went into her session her mother explained to Z what happened. I pretended to just read my book but I admit I was all ears. M was adopted from Africa. I had guessed as much because of how dark M was and that her mother was white. When M was in Africa she's had a tumor and her nose had been removed and some of the face surrounded it. Her mother had adopted her and brought her to America so she could pay for reconstructive surgery. She was being schooled at home.

I was humbled after hearing this story. To take on a project like that - knowing the challenges and how difficult it would be? And I thought I had challenges. Next time I feel put out by my sons situation I know I'm just going to have to suck it up and get on with it. It pretty much tells me I'm not allowed to whine any more.

I found this mother to be a real inspiration and I plan to tell her that. I thought you might want to know that there are unselfish people like her still out there in the world. I hope you have a chance to meet one too.