Angela Writing her Blog
Tampa, Florida ~ 2017
Oil on Canvas
30" x 24"
Angela Velasquez inherited NF type 1 from her mother and had her first surgery at eight days old to relieve pressure from her right eye caused by congenital glaucoma. By the time Angela was 18 she had had a total of 17 surgeries. When Angela was 12 she had a surgery to remove her right eye because she had gone blind; shortly after that surgery she was fitted with a prosethetic. The majority of the surgeries that Angela had were reconstructive, the right side of Angela’s skull did not fuse together, which left her with a golf size hole by her temple. This was dangerous because it potentially left her brain exposed.
In July of 2012, Angela began writing a blog, “Life with Neurofibromatosis.” She writes about her childhood and how bullying had played a role in her depression even years after graduating high school. She writes about surgeries, scars and how she uses her hair has a protective “shield”. Angela even shared her suicidal thoughts and close attempt. But she also writes about positive and amazingly beautiful aspects of her life, like graduating college and finding work in her field of study. In 2013, Angela graduated college with a Bachelors in psychology. She began working for the Crisis Center of Tampa Bay, a nonprofit as an Intervention Specialist, answering crisis calls, including speaking with individuals that were having suicidal thoughts. In April of 2017, Angela was promoted into Supervisor of that very same department.Angela’s determination has given her the strength to not give up and keep pushing forward. She participates every year in the Cupid’s Undie Run to help spread NF awareness and explain why her face looks the way it does.
In July of 2012, Angela began writing a blog, “Life with Neurofibromatosis.” She writes about her childhood and how bullying had played a role in her depression even years after graduating high school. She writes about surgeries, scars and how she uses her hair has a protective “shield”. Angela even shared her suicidal thoughts and close attempt. But she also writes about positive and amazingly beautiful aspects of her life, like graduating college and finding work in her field of study. In 2013, Angela graduated college with a Bachelors in psychology. She began working for the Crisis Center of Tampa Bay, a nonprofit as an Intervention Specialist, answering crisis calls, including speaking with individuals that were having suicidal thoughts. In April of 2017, Angela was promoted into Supervisor of that very same department.Angela’s determination has given her the strength to not give up and keep pushing forward. She participates every year in the Cupid’s Undie Run to help spread NF awareness and explain why her face looks the way it does.