I am the creator of The Seen Project! I was diagnosed with Polycystic Kidney Disease (PKD) when I was 8. Being so young with a rare chronic disease was VERY challenging. I started missing school due to the side effects of my disease. I had to grow up faster than anyone my age due to the reality of what I was going through. I was very different from kids my age, I found it hard to find and keep friendships.

It was taking a mental toll on me and I didn't realize it. I knew I wasn't feeling like myself, but I didn't know why. In January 2024, I was finally diagnosed with Depression and Anxiety after going through a very rough patch during my sophomore year. There were many times I felt alone, Even though I had a solid support group. Through all this darkness I decided that something positive and good should come out of it. That's when I created "The Seen Project" so that kids who have a similar story do not feel lonely. Instead, they can see that they are very much UNDERSTOOD and SEEN. I want to help empower people to share their stories of mental health and invisible illnesses to combat the stigma and stereotype!