One in 3000 people is born with Neurofibromatosis. It affects all of them in different ways. For some, Neurofibromatosis is as clear as the tumors on their face. For others, it hides beneath the surface, creating tumors that destroy hearing, vision, and more. Many of them are misdiagnosed, misunderstood, and often simply missed by a world of medicine that doesn't have a full grasp on all the effects of NF. Stereotyped, ignored, or shunned by a world who thinks they either have the Elephant Man's disease, common migraines, or a few too many moles and birthmarks. In a society that values beauty so highly, NF'ers often choose to hide from others, and end up hiding from themselves.
My name is Kristi Hopkins. In 2007, I chose to stop hiding, and start Thriving, as NF became a bigger part of my life than ever before, taking a firm grip on the health of three of my six children. Most people with NF, or any of a thousand other genetic disorders, focus on surviving from day to day. My kids deserve more than just to survive. And so do YOU. Thriving with Neurofibromatosis. We ALL have a story, this is mine.
