Everyone can smile when they are on cloud nine. Everyone can cry when the weather is blue. But it takes a strong person to smile when he or she has every reason to cry!

Kiley, from Maryland, is an author, fashion model, motivational speaker and entrepreneur. Since 3 years old, her life has proven to be a journey of surgeries. She was forced to have two permanent ostomies (造口术), causing her to have ostomy bags for the rest of her life.

Carrying not one, but two ostomy bags is not something you would want anyone to go through especially your own child. As a single father, Jay is Kiley's biggest advocate. When Kiley was 10 years old, she gave a special Father's Day gift to her father to express her gratitude, which was to dance with him at her talent show at school. In the video, the little girl was smiling from ear to ear. They danced along the song, Overcomer of American Idol's Mandisa. "You're an overcomer. Stay in the fight till the final round." True to the lyrics, Kiley is a strong and inspiring overcomer.

At only fifteen, Kiley set up Enhancing Children's Lives Organization, a foundation dedicated to helping low-income children, providing them with backpacks filled with school supplies, shoes clothing and even food.

She has been a fashion model for over 7 years, yes with two ostomy bags. She is helping cancer survivors and inspiring ostomy patients. Looking at the outer appearance, one would not tell she lives with these adversities. She has proven that not even the biggest problem in the world could wipe away the smile from her face!

Kiley wrote in one of her books, "I used to say, ‘Why me? Why cancer? Why ostomy bags?’ Now I say, ‘Why not me?’ Just because you have some difficulties in life doesn't mean you can't make it. We have the ability to make a difference, to change lives."

On a Friday evening in December, I was laid off. My heart sank.

In the next week, I desperately applied for jobs as my bank account grew smaller. I felt as if the world was closing in on me.

One weekend afternoon, I dropped my daughter Kristil in a wealthy gated community for a birthday party. I watched as she went in, surrounded by all the nice things we couldn’t afford. I drove home defeatedly.

Back at home, I glanced out the window. It had been snowing on and off all morning. I noticed a woman with short white hair struggling to open her car door against the wind. As she got out, I realized it was my old professor, Sister Esther Heffernan. I hadn’t seen her since we’d met three months before.

I first met Sister Esther 10 years ago when I was her student at Edgewood College in Madison, Wisconsin. Kristil was 3 at the time, and I sometimes took her to class. Sister Esther was understanding and would bring coloring books to occupy Kristil.

Even after I graduated, we still kept in touch. I had grown to love her like family.

I rushed to the front of my building. “What are you doing out in this weather?” I asked as we hugged.

“Well, I tried to call you last week but couldn’t get through. Then I called your company and they said you weren’t working there anymore, so I thought I would come by,” Sister Esther said. “I have gifts for you and Kristil.”

She handed me a card. “This is for you,” she said as she kissed me on the cheek. I walked her to her car and waved as she pulled away.

When I opened her card, I turned in shock. Hundred-dollar bills fell onto the table. Tears of gratitude puddled in my eyes as I counted. Sister Esther had given me $1,000.

14 years passed, but I’ve never forgotten what Sister Esther did for us.

Les Brown was adopted by Mamie Brown, a kitchen worker and maid, shortly after his birth in a poverty-stricken Miami neighborhood. Les had a dream of being a deejay.

Mamie Brown had taught Les to pursue his dreams. Finally, he got a job at a radio station as an errand boy (跑腿的人).

At the station, he taught himself their hand movements on the control panel. He stayed in the control rooms and soaked up whatever he could until they asked him to leave.

One Saturday afternoon while Les was at the station, a deejay named Rock was drinking while on the air. Les realized that Rock was drinking himself toward trouble. When the phone rang, Les rushed to pick it up. It was the station manager, as he knew it would be.

“Les, I don’t think Rock can finish his program.”

“Yes sir, I know.”

“Would you call one of the other deejays to come in and take over?” “Yes, sir. I sure will.”

Les did dial the telephone, but it wasn’t to call in another deejay. He called his mother first, and then his girlfriend. “You all turn on the radio because I’m about to come on the air!” he said.

He turned on the microphone switch and said, “Look out! This is me LB, Les Brown, your Platter Playing Poppa. There were none before me and there will be none after me. Therefore, that makes me the one and only. Young and single and love to mingle. Certified, undoubtedly qualified to bring you satisfaction, a whole lot of action. Look out, baby, I’m your love man.”

Because of his preparation, Les was ready. He earned the audience and his general manager’s   recognition. From that fateful beginning, Les went on to a successful career in broadcasting, politics, public speaking and television.