Teacher: Sarah

Hello. My name is Judith. I am 10 years old. I would like to introduce a story to you about my future surgery.

On January 7, 2011 I need to go to the hospital because I need to have eye surgery on my left eye. I am very scared to have surgery because I think the doctor will need to cut something in my eye. When I told my mother that I was scared about this, she said that I should not be scared. She said that the doctor will give me a shot to help me sleep through the surgery. However, I still don’t believe that the surgery will be that easy.

I have three reasons that I am afraid to have surgery. The first reason is that I am afraid the doctor will make cuts in my eye. The second reason is that I am afraid that I will feel pain during the surgery. The third reason is that I don’t know if I will be able to see out of my left eye again. I hope that the surgery will not scare me.

To protect my eye, I will read books on my table and watch TV from my sofa. I hope that other children will protect their eyes so that they don’t have to have surgery like me. I am very brave and I know that I can get through this surgery in January.

Discussion questions:

Tell me about what you understood from the story.

1. Where is Judith having surgery? 

2. Why is she afraid? Explain the three reasons that she mentions.

3. What will Judith do to protect her eyes?

4. Have you ever had surgery?