My name is Maia.  I am the youngest in my family.  I am nine years old and in third grade.  I am a very sensitive person and that is my difference.  Now, here is my story.

One time last year in second grade, we were practicing for our play on stage, and my friend told me about problems in the Middle East, involving Israel.  Because I am Jewish and go to a Jewish school, I got really scared.  My stomach tightened as I tried my best not to cry.   But then it came to the point where I couldn’t stop myself.  I started crying a lot and was sent to the nurse.  When I got there I was embarrassed because everyone at the nurse’s office was staring at me.  The nurse was really nice and comforting to me.

When I got home that night, what my friend had told me was all I could think about. I talked to my mom.  She said not to worry but I still did.  I wanted to move as far west as possible.  Eventually, I managed ot stop thinking about it and fall asleep, but these thoughts still scare me today.

There are good sides and bad sides to sensitivity.  One good side is that I have learned that if I am upset about something that I am not part of, it shows that I are a lot about it which is a good thing.  One bad side is that almost every day, I am crying.   I still have problems with sensitivity every day, but it is a difference that I am proud of.