With diapers, baby clothes, and make-up sprawled all over her room, you’d wonder who lived there. She wakes up and smells the “wonderful” smell of formula and a dirty diaper bin. On Saturdays she doesn’t get to sleep in like most. She is awakened by her eight-month-old daughter, Alexyss, at 7 A.M.

The girl I’m talking about is Deanna Faile and, in case you don’t know who she is, let me introduce you to her. She is sixteen years old and she had her beautiful daughter on January 31, 2006. Many of you would only recognize her with her gigantic belly, but she has shed a few pounds since then.

She is one of the greatest friends, daughters, and mothers anyone could ask for. She has had to endure hurtful comments and stares from strangers. When I caught up with her at lunch, this what we talked about.

Megan-- So, is it hard being a teenage mom?

Deanna-- Well, yeah, I am always so tired from her waking up in the middle of the night, and it is hard to eat because she always wants to have what I have. I will sit down to do my homework, and there she will be crawling towards me for me to hold her. It’s not like I can explain it to her that I’m trying to do my homework. I thank God everyday for my mom and sister who help me with her.

M-- How hard is it supporting Alexyss and yourself?

D-- Well, that is the good thing about my family. My mom didn’t completely freak out when I told her [that I was pregnant], so I still live with my mom, Kathy, and my step-dad, Joe, and they help me a lot.

M-- Where does this bundle of joy go when her mom is at school?

D-- I am able to take her to daycare with the help of Social Services.

In her life, parties and after-school activities are almost non-existent. She is a great student who has almost never made a bad grade. Though she is one out of the 11% of teenage moms in America, Deanna just wants everyone to know that she is no different then you, your sister, or your mom. She is just a girl who made the right decision at the wrong time.

I had to ask her one final question that most might wonder.

“Do you ever regret having Alexyss?” I asked.

Deanna answered me as if I had asked a stupid question.

“Of course not!” she said. “I do wish I had waited ’til I was at least out of high school but it’s ok. I love watching her grow up and become the beautiful smart girl I know she is.”

Deanna Faile just wants all of us to know that it’s not OK to judge; and, contrary to belief, she does have college on her horizon. She is planning on going to college to become an ultrasound technician. She understands that going to college and trying to raise a baby is hard, but she says she has plenty of friends and family to help raise Alexyss.