Most third grader kids stress over silly traumas, such as what to order for lunch or what boy to have a “crush” on that week. I didn’t have it so simple. When I was in third grade, I was given terrible news about my health. I had to face becoming the class joke when I was told I needed glasses.

Ok, dramatic, I know. I was excited at first, but then a friend told me glasses were for old people. Not having the best eyesight meant that I was classified as one of those “old people”. I was put into an immediate panic. Being old meant I had to dress up and go to work. I wasn’t ready to handle all of that stress as an 8-year-old. Taxes plus a spelling test on Thursday? No thanks!

I was getting some strange stares from classmates with my new frames, and I didn't like being the center of attention. I started wearing my glasses less and less. I would only wear them to read or see the board. When I talked to my teachers, they moved me to the front of the class where I could see. Since I was so close to the blackboard, I didn’t need my glasses for anything but reading. When I got to middle school, one of the mean girls told me I looked like a librarian, and no one liked the librarians at our school. I took them off and hid them in a drawer for the next 7 years.

I really did need my glasses for more than just reading. I could see fine out of my right eye, but my left eye was struggling without the aid of glasses. 7 years without them obviously took a toll on my eyes. My left eye is so bad that I struggle to see anything out of that eye no matter how close to my face the object is. I may as well be considered blind in that eye.

I tried out contacts for a while, but it didn’t feel the same. People were talking to me more, but I didn’t feel like I was my normal self. It was almost as if this was a fake persona that I had. I also wasn’t a huge fan of sticking my fingers in my eye. Plus, I would cry if I couldn’t get the contact out, which made it even more difficult to remove them at night. Nine times out of ten I would just go without them. Eventually, I threw out my contacts completely and just went out with nothing for my eyes.

When I graduated high school, I decided to try out a new look. Maybe it was time to try contacts again. I went and got my prescription updated, and the doctor was super concerned about my one eye. She told me I needed to wear something to at least maintain it before it gets worse. I was skeptical at first, but I tried out contacts again. While testing for those, I decided to get a pair of glasses. I could at least wear them in the house, and I technically needed them to drive.

One day, I was super late for class. After oversleeping and managing to change my outfit into something acceptable, I grab my phone off the desk, and my glasses fly off the table and onto the floor. I didn’t have time to clean them off and put them back, so I just grab them and take them to class with me.

I arrived at class just one minute late and decided to just put my glasses away. However, arriving late meant I was stuck in a seat in the back corner of the classroom. I couldn’t see a thing, so I was forced to put on my glasses in order to copy notes. Once I put them on, everyone whispered to me how they suit me. Some girl even said she hated her contacts and wished she had my face so she could pull of glasses. I felt pretty confident with myself.

I’m now at a point where I have worn my glasses every day for the past two years. I purchased fancy frames, and I have multiple pairs in case I want to dress my outfit up or down. One of my favorite things my best friend tells me is how much he loves me with glasses. He says I look older and sophisticated. Nine year old me would have been petrified, but I’m ready to look grown up now.

Glasses are not something you should be ashamed of. If you need them to see, then play around with that idea. There are so many cute frames out there to choose from, and you can always try them on and decide which kind suits you best. Maybe you realize you look great in wire frames (which makes me jealous because I can’t pull them off, so you have at least one person that will like them!)

Glasses are also a great way to accessorize an outfit. I know I have a pair of “fancy” frames that I strictly wear when I dress up and go out while I wear my “every day” plain frames if I have nothing going on that day. It brings a nice accent to your face, and I can usually get away with minimal mascara and no eyeliner and shadows because my dark, plain frames give my eyes that pop that I’d usually need.

It sucks when you’re unable to see, but don’t make glasses the end of your world (unless you want a non-functioning eye like mine). Take advantage of the idea, and do what works best for you. If contacts are what work for you, then don’t feel the pressure to wear your glasses. Have them in case there is a day where your eyes need a break (which you need to do every once in awhile). You’re a beautiful person with or without your face accessories. Besides, we all know it’s kind of lame when people wear fake ones to look older or more sophisticated. Own the fact that you can look older because you actually need them.

It’s just like being “too tall” or not having the “right" clothing. Someone is bound to make a comment on how you wear glasses. Know that they don’t understand the struggle of not being able to see. Agree to disagree with them, and continue to maintain your sight and own your accessory. Your vision is a big part of your health. Please take care of yourself, and that's all that matters.