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I was four years old when I was diagnosed with Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease (CMT). Since then, it’s been a part of my life, but it has never defined me. CMT affects my peripheral nerves, making movement and sensation more difficult, but that hasn’t stopped me from pushing my limits and finding ways to thrive.

When I was five years old, I had major foot surgery to correct the extreme curving caused by CMT. Learning to walk again was tough, but with the help of leg braces, I’ve regained my mobility and confidence. Staying active has been a huge part of my journey. After surgery one of the first challenges I took on was the Spartan Kids Race, an obstacle course designed for kids, alongside my friends. It was cold, windy, and muddy—everything that should have made it harder—but I loved every second of it. I’m always looking for ways to challenge myself, and that race was a chance to prove to myself that I could do something new.

There are some things I can’t do, but I focus on what I can do and keep pushing myself. People are often surprised by what I’m capable of, but I don’t like being told I can’t do something. So much of what limits us exists in our own minds, and I want to show others—especially those with disabilities—that we are capable of more than we think.

When I was first diagnosed, finding support was difficult. It felt isolating, like being on an island. That’s why raising awareness is so important to me. CMT isn’t well-known, but it should be. The more people understand it, the more funding and research can go into treatments—and one day, a cure. That’s why I share my story. Because awareness drives funding, funding drives research, and research changes lives.

CMT may be a part of my life, but it will never be the thing that defines me.