Stories of NF: Ariana M.

Ariana was diagnosed with NF1 when she was 6 months old.  She’s now an 8th grade student in middle school.

She’s faced learning disabilities and challenges in school; in past years, some teachers and the principal would say my daughter was lazy. I tried to explain she has NF1, but they would brush it off.

Ariana has had several of her fibromas removed with surgery, and will soon have another. She’s been made fun of by her peers for being different.

I also have NF1. I make sure Ariana is at all her doctor appointments, even though my employer (I’m a teaching assistant) gives me a hard time. I make sure she has anything she needs and I do my best to remain involved in her medical care and make sure that her doctors are aware of growth of fibromas and look for new ones.

At the end of the day, my daughter comes first. She just so caring of others and loves animals. It’s challenging because no parent wants their child to be sick or go through pain, but there days when I wish she didn’t have to have surgeries. But I know it’s what’s best for her.

I hope someday there will be a cure because she got it more severe than me, but she makes me stronger to go on for her to make her better.

-Patty, Ariana’s mom