The Courage to Bare One’s Heart

Lindsay Spann’s Youth Opinion article (“I Wish You Could See Me For Who I Am,” May 3) was one of the most moving, compelling and admirable pieces I have ever read.

For an adolescent to reveal to her peers (and everyone else) such aching loneliness and longing for acceptance requires a level of courage that I know I never had. But to maintain a hopeful and kind spirit in the face of the severe and constant challenges of her disabilities--on top of the indifference and even derision of her classmates--that’s just plain awesome.

The discourse on her favorite pets is interesting and funny, but also poignant and telling. Lindsay doesn’t want the other kids to feel sorry for her. Just as the title of her article put it, she wants them to know her.

My not-at-all-glorious high school days are (thankfully) well behind me, and when I was an adolescent I was no expert on how to win friends and influence popular kids. But for what it’s worth, I very much believe--no, I know--that if Lindsay continues to be as forthright and warm and funny as she is in her article, she will find that really great friend--or several.

I predict great things for her.

TOM SAUNDERS

Pasadena