'Wonder' in Olivia's view

Olivia's brother- August

Hi, I'm Olivia. I am the older sister of a boy with a very rare condition. His face is terribly disfigured, and he has gone through many surgeries. He was born with it. His name is August but mum, dad and I call him Augie. Since he was born, I've always had second place in my parents attention. If I had a school function, I had to be prepared to go by myself because mum and dad were probably at speech therapy, rehab or a sudden surgery with Augie. This is how it has always been for me, and I am kinda used to it now. all of these little things don't seem to matter.

Augie is so strong. I complain about little things, but he doesn't complain about anything. Actually, I don't think he has ever complained before. So I feel weak when I complain.

I've just gone to high school and I'm really enjoying it. Even though it sounds mean, I like that my friends don't know me as the sister of August, the freak- or even know about Augie and his face. the only person who knows is Miranda, my ex-best friend. Over the summer break, she changed into one of the 'too cool for school' kids, so she's not my friend anymore. Augie is growing up too; he is enrolled at Beecher Prep and is trying too make some friends.

Even though my parents and augie tell me not to, I feel really sorry for Augie. Not only because his face and the hearing aids that he had to have put in, and they're so noticeable; and he also has to fit in at school. When I ask him about it, he says that it's not too bad but if I had a face like that, I don't know if I'd be able to cope.

Skipping forward to the end of the year... at the retreat, he finally made some other friends besides Summer and Jack. There were three boys named Amos, Miles and Henry.

At the very end of the year, at Augie's graduation, he won the Honor award for Beecher Prep. I was so happy for him and I squeezed him tightly. Mum, Dad, Jack's parents and I all got our cameras out and huddled up together. Augie's other friends joined in the group, then others started joining in. Basically no one even noticed his face! They were having too much fun!

This year was great! It has definitely been a very positive year, and i have learnt a lot-

"Even if you're different, you're still perfect. you're a wonder!"