My Life Beyond Neurofibromatosis
A Mayo Clinic Patient Story
When mysterious events are endangering people around New York City, a young boy with neurofibromatosis uses his hidden powers to discover the cause – and finds out he’s the perfect person to save the day.
Leo, a boy with neurofibromatosis, is visiting New York with his family after some treatment. But everywhere they go, mysterious things keep happening. The T-Rex at the American Museum of Natural History comes to life. The ice rink in Central Park transforms into mountains of ice. Then something is making people sick all over the city.
In each case, Leo – together with his dog, Clark – uses his hidden powers to tackle the dangers and save others. But what could be causing all these strange events? Are they connected? When Leo spots a green light coming from the Empire State Building, it’s up to him and Clark to solve the mystery and find out what, or who, is behind it. He’ll find out it’s not only his hidden powers but also his diagnosis that make him the perfect hero for the moment.
Mayo Clinic Press Kids creates empowering health and wellness content in partnership with pediatric experts.
G.W. Page was diagnosed with a rare genetic condition called Neurofibromatosis (NF) as a baby, after his mom noticed some new birthmark-type spots on his legs. When he was 3 years old, an MRI revealed a large tumor in G.W.'s brain, requiring surgery to remove it. At age 9, G.W. has an extensive team of doctors who routinely monitor him for new tumors or other NF-related problems, which can be very unpredictable. With his positive outlook and fierce courage, even as the youngest of his siblings, he sets a big example for his family about choosing how to react when things go wrong or we're afraid. He loves playing sports, creating art, fishing, fantasy football, cooking with his dad, and being a goofball with his big sisters. When he grows up, G.W. hopes to become a professional sports analyst.
Guillaume Federighi (AKA Hey Gee) is a French and American author and illustrator. He began his career in 1998 by exploring the world of street art and graffiti in different European capitals. After moving to New York, Hey Gee developed a reputation for a direct and instantaneous style of graphic design and illustration that brings out unifying ideas, creates distinctive characters, and affects all generations. He is also the owner and creative director of Hey Gee Studio, a full-service creative agency based in New York City.
Medical editor, Dr. Babovic-Vuksanovic is a pediatrician and clinical researcher in genetics at Mayo Clinic. She leads several collaborative studies looking at children, adolescents, and young adults with neurofibromatosis 1 and progressive plexiform neurofibromas as well as adult patients with neurofibromatosis 1 and extensive plexiform and paraspinal neurofibromas. Dr. Babovic-Vuksanovic is passionate in her work toward a better understanding of various genetic syndromes and metabolic disorders, aiming to improve diagnosis, treatment, and outcomes for patients with these conditions.
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