Derrick Helton has seen and learned a lot from his condition with NF2. Coming from a small town of 110 population, he did not know he had NF2 until he was 18 and decided to join the Marine Corps. During processing he failed the hearing test at which time doctors found tumors on both acoustic nerves. At the same time a large tumor in the C3-4 region of his neck area spinal cord was found and severely pressing on it. He did not get into the military and instead, emergency surgery was done. During surgery another tumor in lower spine combined with spinal swelling from neck surgery resulted in paralysis from about the rib cage down. The nerve in which the neck tumor was connected caused some upper body function decrease as well. After a long recovery and reflection the signs of NF2 had been present from very early age, but always misdiagnosed and never found.

Now living as a quadraplegic and wheelchair bound, he found the sport of wheelchair rugby at the University of Arizona. Not long after he became good enough to represent Team USA and won many gold medals, world championships, and a bronze medal throughout his ten year run with the team all while traveling the world playing. In 2015 his career was cut short when once again NF2 started causing seizures, a massive decrease in hearing and other issues.

Currently he lives in Tucson, Arizona with his wife Krista, and their daughter Leila who is 2 years old. Soon he will be having his first brain surgery to combat the seizures and also plans to have an ABI placed to help his poor hearing. He will continue planning his dreams and takes it one day at a time. It's time to become an advocate for NF1, NF2 and all who suffer. It's also a time to use the gifts he has left to do so in new and creative ways.