Robert Hoge has written a matter-of-fact biography about his childhood years. He came into the world in 1972, with a large tumor in the middle of his face, which pushed his eyes far apart, and short, twisted legs. His mother, who had four children already, wanted nothing to do with him for the first month of his life. Robert underwent many operations as a baby and young child, which removed the tumor and re-built his face and legs. Despite all the obstacles he faced, he accepted his fate and soldiered on. Then, at 14, Robert’s parents gave him the power to decide whether or not to have the final operation, which would substantially change his face, hopefully for the better. But Robert decided that the possibility of losing his eyesight wasn’t worth the risk, and declined the operation. My ten year old grandson is reading this as a school assignment, and I found it very uplifting.
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