When I was just a few months old, I was diagnosed with Neurofibromatosis Type 1 (NF1), which typically presents itself during childhood and is characterized by various symptoms including bone deformities, learning disabilities, and high blood pressure. My disability requires me to constantly wear a brace on my left leg. As a result, I frequently encounter challenges and setbacks in my daily life which have sometimes been discouraging but have also made me a stronger individual. Learning to both accept and rise above these limitations is a challenge I will continue to deal with throughout my life. Daily, I encounter various obstacles primarily related to my limited mobility and the pain I experience in my leg. To aid my walking, I rely on a brace that supports my weak left leg. However, when it comes to covering long distances, I often find it hard to keep pace with others. Engaging in enjoyable activities such as running, jumping on a trampoline, or climbing also presents its own set of challenges. The fear of potentially injuring my leg looms over me during these endeavors. I also face challenges with learning. For example, I sometimes need directions to be repeated more than once to grasp what I am being told, but after receiving them, I understand what is required. Some of the results from my medical issue have been surprising for me. I have been able to deal with my physical issues by using a wheelchair when necessary and also a walker inside my house. These fairly simple devices have taught me that problems have solutions, so instead of giving up I am motivated to keep going. My learning issues have shown me the necessity of asking for help when I need it and generally advocating for myself. These have made me a better, stronger, more confident person. My physical challenges necessitate the need to plan ahead and remain structured. This helps me stay organized and be punctual with school assignments and with my job. Another positive result has been my compassion for others. I have always enjoyed lending a hand to people, whether it is with their tasks or when they are feeling down. Building connections with others is something I value. In high school, I am currently enrolled in a Project-Based Learning (PBL) program. In this program, we participate in hands-on activities and collaborate with our classmates on various group projects. It is a pretty engaging way to learn! One of the projects we worked on was the landmark project. In the social studies section of PBL, we had to select a historical landmark. We decided to go with the Rome Colosseum for our group project. It is such an iconic landmark and has a deep history that we thought would be interesting to explore. Our task was to make a small model of the landmark with materials we chose independently. We decided to go with cardboard and added a laser cutter to shape our design. We then researched the Rome Colosseum and wrote a summary detailing its historical background. The project culminated with an exhibition where we displayed our projects and presented to our PBL cohorts. Although I will continue to face unique challenges throughout my life; I have the tools needed to allow myself to be successful both academically and professionally. I have a deep connection to NF and would be honored to receive this scholarship to continue Dylan's Journey to pursue my educational career in Industrial Design. I hope to create and/or improve medical devices and assist patients that also struggle with chronic illness.