For 10 years, ages five through 15, Erica watched her face change and become asymmetrical as a tumor like formation protruded from her face just under her left eye. It caused her eye to close up and put pressure on her right eye, which then bulged. In addition to the physical changes, she endured debilitating migraines, extreme nausea, random vision loss, breathing issues, slurred speech and weakness of her limbs. Despite visits to doctors, hospitals and specialists over that ten-year span, no one was able to tell her family what was happening. Finally, she was diagnosed with the rare genetic disorder Arteriovenous Malformation, aka AVM, and surgery was completed a few weeks later.
The majority of AVMs are usually located in the brain, and some people don’t know until there’s a rupture/hemorrhage. In Erica’s case, her family knew something was wrong because they could see the physical changes in her face, so they immediately began seeking medical advice. In 2019, a year after her surgery, Erica contacted The Aneurysm and AVM Foundation and founded their Youth Ambassador Program, which now has a network of young survivors and family members nationwide. Her main drive behind this program was to find other young survivors and their families, so they would know they’re not alone. With less than 1% of the population suffering from this disorder, it is almost next to impossible to meet people who have been through it or understand what you’ve been through, so it’s a very lonely journey.
Now, eight years after her life-changing surgery, Erica‘s life has truly changed. She’s much healthier, able to do a lot of activities that she could not participate in prior to the surgery, and she has spent the past seven years advocating for the AVM community. Through TV/newspaper/magazine/online interviews, where she shares her story and spreads AVM awareness, Erica’s goal is to help struggling families identify with the symptoms she discusses and share the info with their doctors. If she had seen just one person sharing their AVM story on TV or in a magazine, she could’ve quickly identified with their symptoms and asked her doctor if maybe this was the problem. As we acknowledge Rare Disease Month and Rare Disease Day worldwide, always remember that you’re not alone. In the AVM community our tag line is, “From survivors to caregivers, researchers to advocates, we are #UnitedAndRare — because it’s only RARE until it happens to you!”
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