I was in college, and I had just moved to Orlando to be a part of the Disney College Program when one night I got a stomach bug, or so I thought. I eventually ended up at the hospital receiving a CT scan when a massive bleed was noticed. From there I was life-flighted to the Downtown Orlando Health hospital. The next morning, I had an eight-and-a-half-hour brain surgery to remove my AVM which had ruptured.

I am now a Junior studying Psychology and Theatre in college, teaching dance and working in professional theatre!

Connecting with the Niekro Foundation has benefitted me by giving me a sense of security and community when I didn’t feel like I had one. I connected with young adults who had gone through what I had and it was incredible to share survivor stories, hardships and accomplishments.

My words of hope and advice for others is ‘keep going’. I know it’s hard and it may feel hopeless, but you have your community at The Niekro Foundation who will always be there to guide and support you.