Nichole Servos was diagnosed with NF at the age of 8 due to having a few skin tumors. While recovering from a severe case of pneumonia at 16 years old, she lost hearing in the left ear. It was discovered that she had several brain tumors (acoustic neuromas = NF2), one which would need to be removed, and another needing action to keep it from taking the hearing on her right side. By the time Nichole reached the age of 18, NF had created a new chapter in her life, leaving her completely deaf to sound. Despite the toll, she continued to lead a fulfilling life, attending college and marrying her high school sweetheart.

NF spared Nichole and laid dormant until shortly after her 30th birthday. She began to have facial weakness on the left side. The brain tumor which had already been removed had come back and now claimed one side of her face along with another tumor on the opposite side waiting to take the right side of her face. NF brought a rash of procedures and hospitalizations, 6 brain surgeries within an 18-month time span, and left her literally expressionless. Among the procedures, she has since received an Auditory Brainstem Implant (ABI) which helps her “hear” sounds again, and Facial Reanimation surgery which has restored part of her facial functions. NF has claimed the sound from her life, put a hitch in her step, and has taken the true smile from her face, but it will never take the smile from her heart. Nichole has become actively involved with the national Neurofibromatosis Network and currently serves as the President of the NF Central Plains chapter, and for the last 10 years, has helped raise more than $30,000 for the NF Network.