My journey began early—my first surgery at age three, and by ten, I had endured 53 procedures. Today, at 33, I have undergone a total of 65 surgeries.

Growing up wasn’t easy. Complications, insecurities, and bullying led me to hide both myself and my skin well into adulthood. For years, I lived small and unseen.

Everything changed when I attended my first Nevus Outreach conference in Chicago. That experience reshaped my perspective and helped me realize I was never alone.

That moment helped me rewrite the way I speak to myself and how I show up in the world. I now live with gratitude, confidence, and a strong belief that representation and acknowledgment are essential to living fully.