Case Study #96 - Marcy Decorating the Tree

"Marcy Decorating the Tree" Oil on Canvas. 2021

When Marcy was 9, she was diagnosed with Von Recklenhausen which later was renamed to Neurofibromatosis. She didn't really know what it meant as a child and the impact of it didn't materialize until her son, Jay, was diagnosed with NF. Growing up as an only child, she paid attention to what the boys were interested in which gave her a vast knowledge of the various superheroes and comic book characters. 

Marcy graduated from ASU in 1980 with with a dual major in education; elementary and special education. Marcy taught special education for 4 years, kindergarten for 4 years and fifth grade for 5 years. The remaining twenty-two years were in third grade. She taught in the Paradise Valley United School District in Phoenix.

Marcy Decorating the Tree

It wasn't until Marcy became pregnant with her son Jay that she began to notice the affects of NF. Small bumps began to grow during the pregnancy and continue to grow now. She has to wonder if her lack of find motor skills and athletics was also due to NF. Marcy also has epilepsy along with her NF and has had many seizures over the years as well due to epilepsy. When her son Jay was born, he has some outward manifestations of NF that caught the attention of Pat Collins who was the leader of the Phoenix Chapter for NF which was called NF Inc. Now it is called NF Network. Marcy and Jay were both involved in various fundraising and awareness campaigns during that time with this group. Also during the 80's, Marcy was active in raising NF awareness through this group as well as the Order of the Eastern Star (one of the Masonic family groups).

In 2015, Marcy and Jay attended the CTF NF forum in Scottsdale and were able to meet other families and people living with NF. Jay passed away from his brain tumor due to NF in 2020 and Marcy was able to donate his body and brain to continue NF research as his legacy.