Rachel was 13 when she first attended Camp NF.
At an age when so much was changing, camp gave her something she deeply needed: the chance to meet other young people who understood life with NF.
“NF camp gave me the opportunity to connect with others who had a shared experience and come to understand and accept myself as I am,” Rachel shared. “For a thirteen-year-old, that is huge.”
Rachel returned year after year and eventually became a camp counselor. Camp helped her build confidence, accept herself, and form friendships that remain close to her heart.
“It gave me a sense of belonging and taught me that no matter what happens with my NF in the future, I am not alone.”
But Rachel’s journey with NF Midwest did not end at camp.
She knows NF Midwest’s Empowerment Programs in a way few people do. Over the years, she has participated in all three: Camp NF, the NF Midwest Scholarship Program, and Young Adult Leadership.
An NF Midwest Scholarship helped Rachel attend graduate school at the University of Pittsburgh, where she studied social work and earned an Integrated Health Certificate and her master’s degree.
Today, Rachel works as a trauma therapist in a Level One Trauma Center. She helps hundreds of patients each year and carries lessons from her own medical journey into the care she provides.
“I am so very grateful for this scholarship, as my social work program was a pivotal point in my educational journey and led me to my current career,” she said. “With NF Midwest’s assistance, I was able to obtain my dream of being a hospital social worker.”
Rachel later participated in the Young Adult Leadership Program. She strengthened her advocacy, communication, and outreach skills before traveling to Washington, D.C., to share her story with lawmakers and speak about the importance of medical research.
“Going down to Washington, D.C., and meeting with our country’s leaders was so empowering and inspiring,” Rachel shared. “It made me feel like I was making a true difference in the NF cause.”
From finding belonging at camp to building a meaningful career and advocating for NF research, Rachel’s journey shows what can happen when support continues as a young person grows.
“I am so very grateful to NF Midwest for the impact it has had on my life. It has given me a space to learn and to understand my condition, to meet others like me and grow in community, to further my education, and to make a difference for the NF cause at large.”
-Rachel
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