To My NF Peeps...

I may not know you personally; I may not know your specific pains or how NF has not only affected you but also your loved ones.
Our paths may never physically cross, but we will forever have a bond due to NF. This disorder that causes havoc in its host with no hesitation has brought us together.
I know I have said this before, and I will continue saying it, I never imagined that my stories would reach so many lives.
As of late, I have received messages via Facebook from mothers with children that have NF that have found new strength by reading my posts. They have asked me questions about my life and my struggles. They have asked about surgeries and if their child should have a particular procedure done or just let life take its course. I answer their questions with honesty and hope. I only say how NF has affected my life thus far and how surgery has improved my overall well being. I tell them that we are all different and that I cannot give them all the answers to their questions because honestly no one can. Regardless, I am still more than happy to answer questions and to provide my life experiences as a testament of how NF has affected me. 
Every single one of us is an extraordinary human! Whether our bodies have dozens even hundreds of fibromas or just the cafe a latte markings; whether NF has caused our bodies to fail us or if we look ordinary we are remarkable. I say this now more than ever because I have been given the privilege of meeting others that have NF and to me, you are all, like Children's Tumor Foundation says, CHAMPIONS AND HERO'S.
I dedicate this blog post to all of you!

Getting NAKED for Charity ( Party 3)

My crazy cousin's video about her experience at this year's Cupid's Undie Run!! Worth a watch!!!

 

Cupid's Undie Run ( Part 2)

photo by Kimberly Norman

The second annual St.Petersburg Cupid's Undie Run was a total success! St. Pete raised $75,400! Can I get a "Whoop Whoop!" 
Once again the fabulous Katherine was the ringmaster for Cupid's Undie Run. This event would not have been the huge success that it was, if it were not for this tenacious wife and mother of three. For Katherine NF hits close to home. Her middle child was diagnosed when she was an infant. Like Katherine, many of the participants are affected by NF. 
Some are directly affected like myself and my teammate Catie, while other are indirectly affected like the rest of my teammates.

 

photo by Kimberly Norman

 I would like to take the the time now to thank my teammates for joining Angela's Cherubs. You guys cannot begin to imagine how happy and loved I felt on Saturday. I know you could have done anything else, but you chose me! To Chantal and Alexa, my co-works and friends; my cousins, Cat and Carolina; Catie, my teammate; and William, thank you for spending time with my crazy-hyper self!
To my loving and supportive boyfriend, you are my lucky charm, and I love you endlessly! Finally, thank you to Liz and my mom, I know you were not able to make it to the run, but your spirits were with me! I know next year Angela's Cherubs will be attending, maybe even with new faces. 

photo by Joseph Meier

Getting NAKED for Charity!

My cousin Caro and me talking about Cupid's Undie Run. Hope you enjoy watching our video as much as we enjoyed making it!!

Cupid's Undie Run (Part 1)

Next Saturday the 13th of February I will be participating in the second annual St. Petersburg Cupid's Undie Run. I will be running in my undies for a worthy cause. The donations will go towards research to help find a cure for NF.
Now to some being in their teeny-tines is no big deal. But when your body is being taken over by fibromas it is very different. As I have shared in Fibromas and Showing Skin it has become a challenge for me to feel comfortable in a bathing suit. I was not always so self -conscious but unfortunately the more fibromas I see, the less I want to show off my body. Of course, Joe tells me that I am beautiful and that I don't have more fibromas. Maybe he is right, and I do not have more fibromas, and it is all in my head. Or maybe I do have more. Maybe he just does not see them because he does not focus on them like I do.
Still, I will be in my teeny-tines on Saturday the 13th of February. 
I am even more excited because I have a team!!! I will be joined by an amazing group of gals and gents!! I am pleased and thankful for my very brave teammates. Angela's Cherubs is composed of two other gorgeous women that also have NF. One of them being my mom. The rest of the team is comprised of the great people that will not hesitate to fight off bullies.
If you have not joined Angela's Cherubs or donated you still can!!! Remember, this is a great cause!! We all want a world free of NF!! 


I will write post- cupid's Run post after the race. =) 

ANGELA'S CHERUBS   thank you for your gracious donations!! 

Just a Working Class Girl with NF

Two months after graduating college, I was hired as an intervention specialist for the Crisis Center of Tampa Bay. In March, I will celebrate my two year anniversary. Although stressful and emotionally draining, I can honestly say that I love my job!!! I say this with complete and utter honesty.
I worked in retail for six years in two major stores prior to having this job. These jobs taught me how to have patience with both coworkers and customers. I learned to bite my tongue and to tolerate those that live in blissful ignorance. These two jobs made me realize just how strong I really am. I encountered people from all walks of life.

Despite having had customers that made fun of me, stared, pointed and even laughed at my face, it has never deterred me from wanting to work. Not even the time a woman pointed, laughed and said, "You are F***ing ugly."

Neurofibromatosis affects everyone differently. In my case, NF has mostly changed my facial bones and right eye. I was told
by many that I would not be able to find a job unless I wore an eye patch (check out The Patch..... and Eye Patch Part 2  for further reading). I have never worn an eye patch at any of my jobs.

I work because I can. My NF has not stopped or prevented me from obtaining a job. Yes, I see from one eye, have mild dyslexia and have horrible spatial perception. Nonetheless, I am more than willing to go to work each day.
For me, there is no greater gratification than knowing that I earned a paycheck. May it be big or small, I deserved it!

CHECK OUT MY CUPID'S UNDIE  RUN PAGE!! SIGN UP  AND DONATE =)

Beyound NF

Tonight, I find myself thinking about life. Within hours 2016 will arrive and with it new goals and opportunities for growth and development.  I am thinking about everything I have overcome and gone through. I sometimes wonder how I got to this point when so many thought I would not be able to do much in life. I was judged severely by doctors, teachers, and peers. I have been bullied and shunned. I have been treated as an inferior and trampled on.

Despite everything, I have triumphed. But there is still a lot more that needs to be done and accomplished. I still wake-up and wonder how different my life would be if NF were not part of it. Would it be necessarily easier? I will never know the answer. What I do know is that anything and everything I do in life NF will be a significant part of.

There is so much that I have already accomplished that I was told I would not be able to do. But there are still many many things I would like to check-off my bucket list. I want to get married and become a mom. I want to write and publish books. I want to be a voice for those like myself.  I want to travel around the world!

2015 brought many challenges that were not necessarily having anything to do with my neurofibromatosis.  Nonetheless, I am stronger and better prepared for the curve balls of 2016!!!

DON'T FORGET ABOUT MY CUPID'S UNDIE RUN PAGE, DONATE NOW!! 
THANK YOU=)