To be diagnosed with neurofibromatosis is to be diagnosed with uncertainty.

Yes, you know a gene you carry will tell your body to generate tumors around your nerves and you know generally that the disorder will get worse as you age. But you have no way of predicting when or where or how quickly the tumors will grow, whether they will affect your appearance, your vision, your hearing or your strength in your arms and legs. You can’t know whether one of the usually benign tumors will be cancerous.

Noelle St. Germain of Bolingbrook understands her third-grade students won’t have heard of her condition and they’ll have lots of questions about how it affects her.

When they ask, she tells them. It’s part of her mission as an educator.

She’ll be among hundreds spreading awareness of neurofibromatosis on Saturday, June 3, when she joins the Great Steps 4NF Walk in Naperville to benefit St. Charles-based Neurofibromatosis Midwest.

Learn more about St. Germain’s commitment to helping fellow sufferers in today’s Neighbor section.