Stories of NF: Rachel S.

I was diagnosed at 14 years old, in August 2020. NF1 impacts my life every day in a negative way, but I’m determined to have positive outcomes for my future.

Sometimes I feel anxious or depressed because I have every side effect and symptom that goes along with NF1. I have everything from chronic pain throughout my body from the tumors on my spine, to learning disabilities, headaches, dizziness and vision problems from the brain tumors, neurofibroma bumps all over my skin….etc. I am encouraging myself to think more positive on a daily basis. I am working as hard as I can at school and have received three awards for my academics this school year so far. I’m inspired to help other students with disabilities. Next year, I was recommended for PE leadership. I will be helping students with disabilities participate in PE class.

My favorite subjects in school are biology and algebra. After high school, I would like to pursue a degree in mortuary science to become a mortician. I love cooking and baking. This semester I am in Culinary 1 and next year I am taking Culinary 2 in high school. Every other Thursday, my mom and I participate in an online cooking class. I really like diamond painting and so far I have completed four, and am currently working on the fifth one. I like spending time with my friends and family playing board games, watching movies, riding bikes, and being outside. In the fall, I participated in the color guard alongside the marching band (my brother plays the tuba). I have an 8-year-old dog who is a Shiba Inu named Jack.