" I am thrilled to be named a 2021 Millennium Fellow and join the global community of Fellows who are committed to addressing critical issues of our time. I am choosing to focus on “invisible disabilities”, these are illnesses that are not obvious but that are debilitating and frightening to live with and hold sufferers back from fully engaging in their lives. Countless people all over the world suffer with diseases such as diabetes, epilepsy, brain injuries and other neurological illnesses, eating disorders, and mental and emotional illnesses. These disabilities are often hidden by young people who suffer silently with them, afraid that if they disclose their illness they will be marginalized socially and deprived of opportunities afforded to abled people. I am excited to continue my journey to bring awareness to invisible disabilities and chronic illness as a Millennium Fellow. This program will provide a unique opportunity to expand my work exponentially. I look forward to connecting with other Fellows to shine a light on this societal problem that crosses all income groups and has no geographic boundaries. I want to collaborate on solutions that will help bring comfort to the afflicted and widespread acceptance and understanding of these conditions so that sufferers are no longer marginalized. "