My eleven year old daughter Tessa was asked by her teacher to write an essay that answered the question: If you could change one thing that would make the world a better place, what would it be? Here is her response:

When my mom was 17 she was in a car accident. One of her legs was amputated. Last year she couldn't even walk around the block without pain. If I could change one thing about our world I would help all the amputees living in it who can't afford good prosthetic limbs.

In developing countries kids can't go to school because they are amputees. They can't run around with their friends. If I couldn't run, hop and jump around with my friends I would be very upset. But I can - they can't. That's one reason I would want to help them.

In some places you have to walk a long way to get water. If my mom couldn't walk around the block with a good prosthetic leg, then people with not such a good one probably can't walk miles to get water. If we helped get them prosthetic legs it wouldn't make it all better, but it would make a big difference.

If you didn't have an arm you couldn't hold your baby. You wouldn't be able to hold your daughter's hand. You couldn't tuck your son in at night. If my mom couldn't hug me, hold my hand or tuck me in I don't know what I'd do. That's another reason why our world should help amputees.

I've seen how hard it is for my mom to live with only one leg and I can't imagine what it would be like for people who can't afford a good prosthetic limb. I would really like to change the world for all the amputees living in it.