As a teenager, we face many individual battles, some not shared by others. How we face these battles is what differentiates us. In the case of Nevaeh Martinez, she not only took on an immense battle within her body, but she won it.

“The summer of eighth grade, I was diagnosed with brain cancer.” Martinez said. “I’m a bit of a control freak so that really shook me. I didn’t know how to respond to it or what to do, but I took it day by day. And, now I’m okay,”

Although having something like brain cancer is very difficult and grim, Nevaeh took it head on. She participated in proton therapy, and stayed strong. She did not allow it to defeat her or stop her from doing the things she loved. She continued to dance and live her life as if no one was watching. Her injury also pushed her to work harder to achieve her goals and make her family proud.

“I work so hard so that I can make sure my family is taken care of in the future. I want to be able to provide for them and always make sure they are okay.”

Although Nevaeh had a huge bump in the road with her life, she never let it stop her from becoming the strong person that she is today. I think that as we all go through life, we should try to do it like Nevaeh: with our heads held high and a bright consistent smile on our faces.