Hi there. I’m Sabrina Lo, a 17-year-old girl whose life was forever changed by a game we all know and love. I know that might sound dramatic, especially since I’ve only been playing golf for a few years now, but I assure you it’s not. Thanks to LPGA*USGA Girls Golf, I’ve grown not only as a golfer, but as a confident young woman who had no hesitation when asked to join the Girls Golf National Board of Directors. To add context, that’s something I never would have done before joining the program.
Speaking of Girls Golf, the program welcomed its millionth girl last year. In honor of that mark, they launched the One Million MORE Girls campaign, which seeks to celebrate all the girls who made it possible, all while working toward reaching the next million by 2030. I personally feel extremely grateful to be one in a million, however, I am also 1 in 3,000.
Neurofibromatosis type 1, more commonly known as NF1, affects approximately 1 in 3,000 people. While this condition is genetic, I have no familial history of the condition.
NF1 has many different symptoms. One symptom is Benign tumors. These tumors come in all shapes and sizes and can appear on any part of the body. I have a few visible spots on my arm and wrist. It also has cognitive effects. People with NF1 may experience trouble focusing and paying attention, memory problems or trouble grasping specific concepts. It also affects your motor skills, like coordination and doing things like sewing, and braiding my hair. I’m lucky enough to have a milder case of it, but that doesn’t mean it hasn’t affected my life.