Inherited from his father, David Groudas was diagnosed with NF1 when he was five years old. David has a degenerative disk in the lumbar portion of his back which contributes to his spinal stenosis. Because of the NF, David developed A.D.D and was on ritalin throughout both elementary and middle school. Throughout David’s life he was consistently bullied for having a big head which is symptomatic of NF. In 2006, David developed Arnold Chiari Malformation Type 1. His cerebellum was protruding down into his spinal canal. Finally David’s family were told by the neurosurgeon that he need to have brain surgery to correct the chiari malformation. The results of the first surgery didn’t turn out, so David underwent the surgery again. Unfortunately, the second surgery did not do well either and the family is currently trying to figure out what to do. According to David’s mother, the opening comments from the MRI tech report scanning just his leg read “Innumerous NF tumors in his leg, luckily none are attached to any nerves. On the other hand there is nothing we can do for the pain.”

Besides being a huge supporter of the Children’s Tumor Foundation, David finds time to spread NF awareness by his huge sidewalk chalk drawings. The drawings usually spell out “Cure NF” and can take up the entire length of his driveway.