I was diagnosed at age four years old. I was not walking yet, so my parents took me to my doctor, who sent me to a specialist. He noticed my café au lait spots and diagnosed me with NF1. I had muscle weakness while young and still do today. 
NF affected me when I was a young child because kids bullied me. I was one of the tallest girls in my class, had big feet, a big head, etc., so everyone thought it would be funny to make fun of me. My tumors didn’t appear visible until I was 27 years old. So, since 2019, I have had seven tumors, 25 scalp surgeries, and 28 hospital stays. It’s been a long, almost 5 years, but even through that, the pandemic, and more, I still manage to go to school, earn my first ever 4.0, and work three times a week. The way NF affected me, had it not been for the first tumor showing up in 2019, is that I would’ve still been in school during the pandemic. I would’ve gotten my degree by now and been a preschool teacher, but I had to take some years off, and it put me behind in my career goals. I also have goals of finding a young man to marry and live my life with. But so far, it hasn’t happened. I also am saving up for a place of my own.
Other than the first visible tumor showing up in 2019, my surgeon told me, “This is not the end.” That pretty much defines my journey.
Right now, I am attending a local community college (I was at a local university), but due to my health, I had to return to community college. I am taking five courses, and I currently work as a lab aid three days a week. What makes me happy is earning my first-ever 4.0 GPA, even with a hole in my head and a “temporarily paralyzed right dominant arm.” My friends and family’s support also keeps me happy.
Favorite Song
I have so many, but if I had to choose just one, I would say “Fight Song” by Rachel Platten
Dream Superpower
Flight
Favorite Food
Taco
Fun Fact
I can do a really good impression of Mickey Mouse
