In 2012 Cassidy Nicholas (center) was born with Treacher Collins Syndrome, the same facial deformity that Auggie had in the book Wonder. 6 years ago, as 4th graders, Annika (left) and Casey (right) interviewed Cassidy when she was just a kindergartner! Learn more about this incredible little ChangeMaker below.
Cassidy Nicholas is a 3rd grader from Haverhill, Massachusetts. We've been following this little ChangeMaker since April of 2018 when we interviewed her (above) before she attended our “Choose Kind” event at Milton Public Library.
Cassidy was born with Treacher-Collins Syndrome (TCS) which can cause deformation of the face. Cassidy has a severe case of TCS, making it hard to breathe, eat, talk and hear. She has had many surgeries since she was born, including the insertion of a tracheostomy (trach) tube to help her breathe and a hearing aid (attached to her head like a headband) that works through vibration, transmitting sound to her ears.
Cassidy has set and achieved. many remarkable goals over the years, with more to come, we're sure! From 2018 to 2019, Cassidy's beautiful face could be seen on billboards all over Massachusetts for a Tufts Children's Hospital advertisement campaign touting that "You Don't Have to Be Big to Be An Inspiration." Cassidy's foundation, Cassidy's Crusaders, raises money for her surgeries and care, but they also donate to others in need who are battling the challenges of TCS.
Cassidy says that she'll be a doctor one day, so that she can give back to the medical community that has been so good to her. We have no doubt that she'll be an extraordinary MD!. We hope to meet up with Cassidy this summer to learn about her latest goals, In the meantime, to get inspired by Cassidy and to support her journey click on her Facebook page or Google Cassidy’s Crusaders on Facebook.