Charlie Villanueva, once an NBA player, is known for his ability to shoot hoops (篮筐). He says his success is largely due to what he has 1 since childhood.
Today Villanueva's career may look successful, but life wasn't always 2 for him. At 10, Villanueva got a skin disease alopecia. It caused his 3 loss, which was not life threatening but difficult for a kid to 4 . Other kids called him 5 names. In middle school, he was suspended (停学) for 6 a no-hats rule. 7 a note from his doctor allowed him to wear hats, they only 8 more unfriendly attention.
Through it all, Villanueva's mother was 9 for him in good times and bad times. With his mother's help and 10 , Villanueva turned his frustration (挫败) into 11 to play basketball well on the court. 12 he improved as an athlete; basketball helped him deal with his alopecia.
13 . over six million Americans have alopecia like Villanueva. They have gifts, abilities and a need to feel 14 , Villanueva established the Charlie Villanueva Foundation to help families of kids with alopecia. Villanueva 15 kids to feel good about who they are, work hard toward their goals and 16 to others. Here's his 17 for them.
"We're all 18 in our own different ways. Embrace it and enjoy life 19 . Many didn't think I'd make it. Thankfully they were 20 about me. Believe in yourself, and all dreams are possible."
