Stories of NF: Andrea M

When I was born, the doctors kept telling my mom that I had a clogged tear duct, but my mom knew that something else was wrong. My mom was a Medical assistant and had a patient with neurofibromatosis, so she knew a little bit about NF, so she got a medical book. She started reading about it more. She counted my café au lait spots and, diagnosed me herself, and then finally took me to a doctor. A doctor diagnosed me at four months, and a few times after that, I got to go to Children's Hospital Los Angeles when my mom got told that I had a brain tumor, and at one year old, I had a complete cranial surgery. From then on, I've had over seven cranial surgeries, and I had to learn how to walk again from a surgery that I had on my right leg.

Living with NF is really hard. I have learning disabilities. I am blind in one of my eyes. I am constantly in pain, but that does not stop me from living my life. I want to work with children or older adults, and my NF will not stop me. It's going to make me go further in life.

The defining moment for me with NF was graduating high school with a 3.7 GPA after being told constantly that I wasn't going to meet milestones. And after learning how to do everything for myself again after surgeries, I was told time and time again that it's okay if I take my time and if I get held back a grade, but I pushed myself and graduated early.

My name is Andrea. I really love reading bullet journals, listening to music, hanging out with friends, and watching crime or medical shows. I really love also spending time with my nieces and nephews. And I really love baking.

Favorite Song
Corazón Sin Cara by Prince Royce or Island in the Sun by Weezer

Dream Superpower
Teleportation so I could travel the world

Favorite Food
Pozole or tacos

Fun Fact
I can say the 50 states of America in alphabetical order