" Whatever you're feeling, whether it be anger, hatred, sadness, disappointment—it's okay. You're allowed to feel those things. That is valid. But just know that this situation— yes, NF is a lifelong diagnosis, and not having a cure, it does change your life trajectory a little bit. But it doesn't dictate how you have to live your life."

Leanna Scaglione was just 16 years old when what the aspiring ballerina thought was an injury from dancing turned into something she never could have imagined—surgery to remove a spinal tumor that left her temporarily unable to walk. Soon afterward, she was diagnosed with neurofibromatosis type 2, which is now called NF2-related schwannomatosis.

This lifelong condition causes non-cancerous tumors to form throughout the body. For Leanna, that's meant brain surgery to remove a tumor that resulted in facial paralysis; several clinical trials of medications that have helped, but also have brought unpredictable symptoms; and now, the need for another surgery on her spine.

After her first surgery, Leanna not only walked again, she danced. And during the pandemic, she began to run. Eventually, she built up to the marathon, which she ran with the Children's Tumor Foundation's NF Endurance Team—she talks in this episode about the inspiring moment she realized that was a possibility.

Leanna just completed the Tokyo Marathon, which brings her one race closer to her goal of becoming the first athlete with NF2 to run all the Abbott World Marathon Majors. She runs because it gives her joy, agency, and community; it's how she refuses to let NF2 control her life, shows others what's possible with a chronic illness, and carries forward both her athletic identity and her family's legacy of endurance.

Resources/links:

• Leanna's Instagram
• The Children's Tumor Foundation

A huge thank you to LEVER Movement, the exclusive sponsor of season 9 of The Injured Athletes Club podcast! They're the creators of the LEVER system, a portable, lightweight device that attaches to a treadmill to reduce your body weight. Use the code INJURED20 to get 20% off your purchase here.

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DISCLAIMER: This content is for educational & informational use only and & does not constitute medical advice. Do not disregard, avoid or delay obtaining medical or health related advice from your health-care professional because of something you may have heard in an episode of this podcast. You should not rely on this information as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Please consult with a qualified medical professional for proper evaluation & treatment. Guests who speak on this podcast express their own opinions, experiences, and conclusions, and The Injured Athletes Club podcast hosts nor any company providing financial support endorses or opposes any particular treatment option discussed in the episodes of this podcast and are not responsible for any actions or inactions of listeners based on the information presented. The use of any information provided is solely at your own risk.