She’s Only Two — Everly’s Journey With NF1 and Childhood Brain Tumor
- zacharyarter
- Mar 17
- 2 min read
At Help 1 Person Today, we share real stories of children facing serious illness to bring awareness, support, and hope. Everly’s story is one of strength, resilience, and everyday courage.
If you ever meet Everly, the first thing you’ll notice isn’t her diagnosis, it’s her personality.
What Is Neurofibromatosis Type 1 (NF1)?
Everly was diagnosed with Neurofibromatosis Type 1 (NF1), a genetic condition that causes tumors to grow along nerves in the body.
NF1 affects each child differently. In Everly’s case, it has caused developmental delays in:
Gross motor skills
Fine motor skills
Speech and communication
Everly’s Brain Tumor Diagnosis
At just two years old, Everly was also diagnosed with an optic pathway glioma, a type of childhood brain tumor that affects vision.
She is currently undergoing chemotherapy treatment, expected to continue through at least December 2026.
At an age when life should be about exploring and playing… Everly is learning how to be strong.
What Daily Life Looks Like for a Child With NF1
Everly’s daily life includes:
Physical, occupational, and speech therapy
Vision services and developmental support
Regular appointments with specialists including neurology and neuro-oncology
Her care requires constant coordination, leading her parent to become a full-time caregiver.
The Emotional Reality of Childhood Illness
Children facing serious medical conditions often experience more than physical challenges.
Bravery can look like:
Fear during appointments
Emotional overwhelm
Needing comfort and reassurance
And still continuing forward.
Sometimes bravery looks like tears in exam rooms… and showing up anyway.
Why Stories Like Everly’s Matter
Awareness of NF1 and pediatric brain tumors is still limited.
By sharing stories like Everly’s, we help:
Educate others about rare conditions
Support families navigating complex care
Encourage community and connection
Behind every diagnosis is a child.And behind every child is a family doing everything they can.
Supporting Families Like Everly’s
Caring for a child with complex medical needs can place emotional and financial strain on families.
A GoFundMe has been created to support Everly’s care and her family.
There is no expectation,
but if her story moved you, sharing it or offering support can make a meaningful difference.
Because no family should have to walk a road like this alone.
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