Cancer is a difficult condition to cure and overcome. It helps to do whatever you can to stay positive as you try to get through it.
5-year-old Lilli Durante knows this. She was diagnosed with a type of brain cancer called optic pathway glioma. This is a type of tumor that grows slowly and targets the optic nerves. Durante must undergo chemotherapy as part of her treatment.
Durante woke up with crossed eyes one day, so her parents took her to the doctor. They got to the root of the problem and detected optic pathway glioma, a type of cancer that could cause loss of vision if not treated.
Where most people would have focused on the negative, the five-year-old decided she’d dress up as a princess to each of her appointments.
Photo Credit: Courtney Durante
Durante has already worn 30 “princess” dresses, including those of Disney princesses Belle, Cinderella, and Ariel. Whenever she arrives in a new gown, the hospital’s staff greet her with “Your Majesty.”
Lilli’s health situation is tough, but she’s handling it like a champ. She’s already inspired so many with her dresses and demeanor.
Photo Credit: Courtney Durante
Chemotherapy has taken a toll on Durante. She will have to have surgery to treat her eyes, and her treatment provoked an allergic reaction. Nevertheless, her outlook is good and her princess dresses have already caused so much joy.
Photo Credit: Courtney Durante
Lilli has so much courage for a young child. Do you have any words of encouragement for her? Share them below.
