Miss-Delectable
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At 24 years old, a deaf Courtney Gale walked into the UP to conduct her duties as a staff reporter in 2007. Four years later, she rolls into the same room, dependent on a wheelchair, carrying a laptop and notepad to communicate.
"Not much is known about NF2," said Gale in an email, her only way of conducting interviews. "I currently have innumerable tumors along my spine. Surgery is, unfortunately, the most popular form of treatment."
Neurofibromatosis 2 (NF2) is a progressively debilitating neurological disorder caused by a mutation in the genes on chromosome 22. There is no cure.
Since she was diagnosed at 13 years old, Gale has had eight surgeries to remove tumors in her inner ear, spine and brain, completely changing the way she views the world and lives her life.
Gale is a USF journalism graduate, having transferred from FAU for her senior year. She likes to read and keep up with her craft, but she also loves being active. However, these days Courtney rarely gets out of the house, and spends most of her time communicating with doctors' offices and insurance companies.
"My favorite things to do as a kid were swim, bike, play pick-up baseball, and soccer. I taught myself how to skate at 8 years old. I used it as entertainment, and a way to exercise. I had to stop when my balance started to deteriorate, broke my heart," she said.
Although they have kept her alive, surgeries have left her deaf, with drop foot, and unable to walk. The muscles and nerves in her face have become damaged, making it difficult to talk and swallow. She also has severe seizures. Few NF2 patients make it through the surgeries, because of the wear and tear on their bodies, but Gale has persevered.
"Court has had her share of things to overcome. Many people would have given up a long time ago, but she stays positive. She's very inspiring," said fellow NF2er and friend Dee-Ann Mercer. "I am lucky to have her as a friend. I can tell her anything without worrying about judgment, and she tends to see things in a bigger picture; I love that about her."
However, doctors now tell Gale surgery is no longer an option. A drug called Avastin is her last hope to treat her illness, and finding a doctor to help her has been a challenge. Because it's used to treat cancer, many doctors will not help Gale, because her illness is neurological. If she couldn't find a doctor to give her the drug, Gale would be left without medical options.
The University of Miami has already refused her, but Moffitt — a major cancer center in Tampa — has found a doctor for Gale right across from the Boca campus to administer the drug.
"There's always another day. You can never give up, no matter how tough it gets," she said. "Let's hope this works!"
This past fall, Courtney decided to spread awareness about NF2. Aided by Debbie Wolfe, an adjunct professor at the University of St. Petersburg, Gale has submitted a short documentary to the Neuro Film Festival called A Struggle For Hope.
"No other NF2 patient has ever allowed themselves to be filmed like this," Wolfe said. "Courtney is putting herself out there and literally giving a face to her illness. Just doing that makes her the bravest person I know."
Wolfe was Gale's research methods professor at USF. Not only does she say Gale was a model to her other students, but she refused extra aid in class.
"She was a dream student. She didn't ask for special help, just a translator — unlike many students in her same situation. I was impressed. Courtney participated all the time, and really inspired the entire class to push themselves academically."
Gale graduated USF with a B.A. in journalism in 2008. According to Wolfe, she has more than earned every credit of it.
"I've been showing A Struggle For Hope in my classes. Courtney is a woman who has been through the ringer and back again," said Wolfe. "Yet, she finds the time in her days to get clips, and does freelance work as a journalist. It's BS if my other students can't do the same."
Wolfe said Gale's greatest strengths are her tenacity and ability to adapt. Living with NF2, she has become adept at many skills, such as reading lips. However, other everyday tasks can still be frustrating for her.
"Getting into the shower should be a gymnastics event at the Paralympics," said Gale. "I truly believe I have a ‘glass half full' outlook on life now … my constant motto is, ‘It could be worse.'"
Dee-Ann Mercer said the daily battles and misconceptions about NF2 frustrate her. She expresses her gratitude to Gale for speaking out about their illness and inspiring others to do so.
"She's already creating a buzz in the NF2 circle, and, wishing I could let my entire community see her video, I wrote to my local newspaper about NF2," said Mercer. "I've written poems to express my emotions about the way people treat me."
Mercer said there is a lack of tolerance and knowledge about NF2, which affects her greatly — and also her family, including her 6-year-old.
"My daughter was recently bullied because of how I look, and that really crushed me. My mom also had NF2, so I know how it feels. I became deaf late in life. It's been one of my greatest struggles. People treat me like I'm dumb just because I can't hear. I'd like people to understand that just because I look different, it doesn't mean I am! Everyone is the same inside," said Mercer.
The same resonates with Gale, who said she made a young boy cry by simply smiling at him. She and Mercer have high hopes for A Struggle For Hope.
"It's amazing! The average person can watch it, and it hits home on so many levels," said Mercer. "Many of my friends watched it and said, ‘Wow … I didn't realize this or that.' I hope it goes far and brings awareness; it's one step closer to a cure."
Spreading understanding and gaining funding for NF2 is Gale's main priority for her documentary, but she also confesses other desires for the film.
"First and foremost, though it may seem selfish, I wanted to leave something meaningful behind, if my life does not turn out the way I imagined, or if it is cut short before I can practice my profession. I want to use my [journalistic] knowledge and resources for something important," she said.
Debbie Wolfe expressed how much she's seen Gale's body weaken and change in only a few months. She also stressed how little time Gale could have left if the Avastin treatments do not work.
"People talk about living for the day, but Courtney lives minute to minute," says Wolfe. "If she makes it to 40, it'll be a huge milestone; she's a fighter. Courtney wants to be a model for people. She struggles — but she never gives up. She wants people to know that, and that's why we labeled the documentary A Struggle for Hope.
"I wondered what I had done to deserve this ... and I still wonder that," said Gale in the film. "When I started making very close friends with NF2ers, and you see them suffering every day … it makes you wonder when doctors will find a cure, and how many more people need to die."
Gale and Debbie are currently talking about expanding their five-minute documentary and entering a 50-minute piece into the Sundance Film Festival.
"However, everything depends on Courtney, and she comes first," said Wolfe. "I am part of her fan club. If I have learned anything from Courtney, it's to take chances and never give up on anything. Spend your time wisely and live."
At 24 years old, a deaf Courtney Gale walked into the UP to conduct her duties as a staff reporter in 2007. Four years later, she rolls into the same room, dependent on a wheelchair, carrying a laptop and notepad to communicate.
"Not much is known about NF2," said Gale in an email, her only way of conducting interviews. "I currently have innumerable tumors along my spine. Surgery is, unfortunately, the most popular form of treatment."
Neurofibromatosis 2 (NF2) is a progressively debilitating neurological disorder caused by a mutation in the genes on chromosome 22. There is no cure.
Since she was diagnosed at 13 years old, Gale has had eight surgeries to remove tumors in her inner ear, spine and brain, completely changing the way she views the world and lives her life.
Gale is a USF journalism graduate, having transferred from FAU for her senior year. She likes to read and keep up with her craft, but she also loves being active. However, these days Courtney rarely gets out of the house, and spends most of her time communicating with doctors' offices and insurance companies.
"My favorite things to do as a kid were swim, bike, play pick-up baseball, and soccer. I taught myself how to skate at 8 years old. I used it as entertainment, and a way to exercise. I had to stop when my balance started to deteriorate, broke my heart," she said.
Although they have kept her alive, surgeries have left her deaf, with drop foot, and unable to walk. The muscles and nerves in her face have become damaged, making it difficult to talk and swallow. She also has severe seizures. Few NF2 patients make it through the surgeries, because of the wear and tear on their bodies, but Gale has persevered.
"Court has had her share of things to overcome. Many people would have given up a long time ago, but she stays positive. She's very inspiring," said fellow NF2er and friend Dee-Ann Mercer. "I am lucky to have her as a friend. I can tell her anything without worrying about judgment, and she tends to see things in a bigger picture; I love that about her."
However, doctors now tell Gale surgery is no longer an option. A drug called Avastin is her last hope to treat her illness, and finding a doctor to help her has been a challenge. Because it's used to treat cancer, many doctors will not help Gale, because her illness is neurological. If she couldn't find a doctor to give her the drug, Gale would be left without medical options.
The University of Miami has already refused her, but Moffitt — a major cancer center in Tampa — has found a doctor for Gale right across from the Boca campus to administer the drug.
"There's always another day. You can never give up, no matter how tough it gets," she said. "Let's hope this works!"
This past fall, Courtney decided to spread awareness about NF2. Aided by Debbie Wolfe, an adjunct professor at the University of St. Petersburg, Gale has submitted a short documentary to the Neuro Film Festival called A Struggle For Hope.
"No other NF2 patient has ever allowed themselves to be filmed like this," Wolfe said. "Courtney is putting herself out there and literally giving a face to her illness. Just doing that makes her the bravest person I know."
Wolfe was Gale's research methods professor at USF. Not only does she say Gale was a model to her other students, but she refused extra aid in class.
"She was a dream student. She didn't ask for special help, just a translator — unlike many students in her same situation. I was impressed. Courtney participated all the time, and really inspired the entire class to push themselves academically."
Gale graduated USF with a B.A. in journalism in 2008. According to Wolfe, she has more than earned every credit of it.
"I've been showing A Struggle For Hope in my classes. Courtney is a woman who has been through the ringer and back again," said Wolfe. "Yet, she finds the time in her days to get clips, and does freelance work as a journalist. It's BS if my other students can't do the same."
Wolfe said Gale's greatest strengths are her tenacity and ability to adapt. Living with NF2, she has become adept at many skills, such as reading lips. However, other everyday tasks can still be frustrating for her.
"Getting into the shower should be a gymnastics event at the Paralympics," said Gale. "I truly believe I have a ‘glass half full' outlook on life now … my constant motto is, ‘It could be worse.'"
Dee-Ann Mercer said the daily battles and misconceptions about NF2 frustrate her. She expresses her gratitude to Gale for speaking out about their illness and inspiring others to do so.
"She's already creating a buzz in the NF2 circle, and, wishing I could let my entire community see her video, I wrote to my local newspaper about NF2," said Mercer. "I've written poems to express my emotions about the way people treat me."
Mercer said there is a lack of tolerance and knowledge about NF2, which affects her greatly — and also her family, including her 6-year-old.
"My daughter was recently bullied because of how I look, and that really crushed me. My mom also had NF2, so I know how it feels. I became deaf late in life. It's been one of my greatest struggles. People treat me like I'm dumb just because I can't hear. I'd like people to understand that just because I look different, it doesn't mean I am! Everyone is the same inside," said Mercer.
The same resonates with Gale, who said she made a young boy cry by simply smiling at him. She and Mercer have high hopes for A Struggle For Hope.
"It's amazing! The average person can watch it, and it hits home on so many levels," said Mercer. "Many of my friends watched it and said, ‘Wow … I didn't realize this or that.' I hope it goes far and brings awareness; it's one step closer to a cure."
Spreading understanding and gaining funding for NF2 is Gale's main priority for her documentary, but she also confesses other desires for the film.
"First and foremost, though it may seem selfish, I wanted to leave something meaningful behind, if my life does not turn out the way I imagined, or if it is cut short before I can practice my profession. I want to use my [journalistic] knowledge and resources for something important," she said.
Debbie Wolfe expressed how much she's seen Gale's body weaken and change in only a few months. She also stressed how little time Gale could have left if the Avastin treatments do not work.
"People talk about living for the day, but Courtney lives minute to minute," says Wolfe. "If she makes it to 40, it'll be a huge milestone; she's a fighter. Courtney wants to be a model for people. She struggles — but she never gives up. She wants people to know that, and that's why we labeled the documentary A Struggle for Hope.
"I wondered what I had done to deserve this ... and I still wonder that," said Gale in the film. "When I started making very close friends with NF2ers, and you see them suffering every day … it makes you wonder when doctors will find a cure, and how many more people need to die."
Gale and Debbie are currently talking about expanding their five-minute documentary and entering a 50-minute piece into the Sundance Film Festival.
"However, everything depends on Courtney, and she comes first," said Wolfe. "I am part of her fan club. If I have learned anything from Courtney, it's to take chances and never give up on anything. Spend your time wisely and live."