A decade ago, Clara’s parents were living in Belgium where prenatal screening was extensive. Even in the womb, doctors could see severe facial deformities – droopy eyes, under-developed cheekbones and a tiny jaw. Clara would need a tube in her neck to help her breathe after birth and the lack of outer ear and restricted ear canals would mean she’d have hearing aids by the time she was 6 months old.
Dr. Nancy Young, of the pediatric otolaryngology division at Children’s Memorial Hospital, examines 9-year-old Clara Beatty’s hearing aids during a visit to the hospital’s offices in Glenview, Ill., on Feb. 6, 2012. Clara uses special hearing aids that attach with magnets placed under her skin because she has very narrow ear canals and only remnants of outer ears.
In this Feb. 18, 2012 photo, Clara smiles as she reclines on a couch at her home. Clara’s parents say she is a strong little girl who generally navigates the world with ease. Clara does say that people’s stares and comments annoy her sometimes, but generally, she has learned to ignore them – or “smiles and says hi” as her parents have instructed her to do.
Clara looks forward to the day a few years from now when her skull will have grown enough for cosmetic surgery. It won’t “fix” things, but likely will help her blend more – and possibly help her get rid of the breathing tube.
Clara at 9 years, on Feb. 22, 2012, working on her math homework at home. She says math and reading are her favorite subjects, and she hopes to be a doctor one day.
Clara, at 9, hugged by friend Zuzu Smith, whom Clara mentored during a production of the Special Gifts Theatre, a drama troupe for children with special needs in Winnetka, Ill. As a mentor, Clara helped Zuzu with her lines in a production of “The Wizard of Neverland.”
“It’s fun,” Clara says, “to help someone and give them a better chance at life.”
Clara helps Zuzu with her lines for the play. Clara’s mother says that at home or school or church, people know her daughter. To them, she is just Clara – the funny, kind girl who wants to be a doctor when she grows up, who’s quick to help classmates with homework when she finishes her own.
People often assume that Clara can’t speak or understand them. Her classmates at school, however, are perplexed that a reporter would be doing a story about her.
“Why?” one asks.
“Because Clara is awesome!” another quickly replies.
Clara looks at her childhood photos on a computer with her mother.
About her daughter’s future, Janet says, “We’re all learning that we’re just going to do what we’re going to do, and we’re not going to pay attention to what other people think.
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