For Our Youth…

You may intend to zig, but life will make you zag! It’s important to go with the flow and roll with the punches — keep your light shining and things will work themselves out! At the age of 16…I was one of 9000+ people in the world with a very rare disease called Recurrent Respiratory Papillomatosis (RRP). Once a cross-country, track and field runner, avid bicyclist, and all around active person, I slowly turned into not even being able to walk 2 miles home from school without needing to stop and catch my breath. A decade later, 60+ surgeries, and a few near death experiences… I’m still kicking! I’m owning this disease and not letting it get in the way of my lifestyle. I’m still active, still doing what I love. The only difference from myself and a “normal” human being is that I get regular surgeries and checkups. I just go to see my doctor a little more than most. I get to see the lovely folks over at the Stanford Surgery Center more than most people (which, honestly is a blessing, they’re all on their A game and I even know some doctors and nurses by name at this point). STEM has helped me to see that I don’t need to dwell on the “what ifs”… And despite the very real possibility of death at any time, I can live life to the fullest and keep my light shining bright!

Kody Burns
Above photograph by Kody,... self portrait, long time exposure, while running with a light!