Katie Verdi: The Whole World Smiles with Her
Katie Verdi’s contagious smile began charming the world before she could walk—and it has seldom dimmed since, despite her ongoing battle with a relatively rare genetic condition known as neurofibromatosis Type 1 (NF1). Type 1, the version of neurofibromatosis that usually appears in childhood, has caused abnormal bone growth in her lower legs, requiring the support of a colorful pair of intentionally mismatched braces which keep her moving, dancing—and smiling.