Having Neurofibromatosis is never an easy thing to say or tell people. It's always been a struggle growing up when others have neater handwriting than you, when you physically cannot do that, even after years of fine motor therapy. It’s hard feeling like you are behind the bell curve, and being the different one. I was diagnosed with NF in 2004, when my parents noticed cafe au lait spots, freckling around the groin, neck, and armpits, and felt lumps underneath my skin. We also got my eyes checked, and guess what? Got another symptom: Lisch nodules. So, I am the prime suspect, the official patient. We immediately got testing done, and I am the genetic mutation variant; no one else in my family has NF. I am the first, so that made things harder because no one could relate to me. Even growing up, going to a genetic clinic,s they treated other patients and me as if we would spontaneously combust if we got too close to each other, we were isolated and couldn’t speak to each other. We were not allowed to do much, just stay in our own isolation rooms. Poked, Proaded, Scanned, and hospitals became such a new normal for me, so I thought everyone had to do it. I found out that it is not the case. I will be having my first surgery this year, as I cannot bear the pain anymore. I am seeking help because I am not weak, I am seeking help because I am strong and cannot bear the pressures and pain anymore of these Neurofibromas and Plexiform neurofibromas. NF, is does not disable me, it empowers me to strive and work harder than most. I had to go through years of fine motor and speech therapy. So I could speak properly despite the developmental delays caused by NF and fine motor defects that NF caused by affecting my nerves. One of my biggest struggles was my handwriting. Meaning my penmanship, and the endless bullying and harassment I have received for having handwriting that is of a lesser of someone else. I have tried and triedm but my handwriting still is not up to par or “standard”. It’s hard, being different or getting pulled from classes to get special help for your handwriting. Constantly seeking approval from teachers who would never be willing to give and would constantly say you will never amount or be anything you dream of. I proved them wrong. Despite not having good handwriting, I maintained great grades, completed highschool, got multiple degrees(Associates and Bachelors), and became a teacher. I am able to share the joy and build up students no matter who and what they are. I want to share the joy and love for them. I have never let NF stop me despite having the pains, and the lesser than normal handwriting. I will never let NF win.