Page 16 - CMTeen_Volume1_Issue3

Reflections on High School: Lessons Learned
MY NAME IS VITTORIO RICCI. I am from
Massachusetts and recently graduated from high
school. I was diagnosed with CMT when I was
14. I’ve learned a lot about myself because of
CMT and feel compelled to share my high school
experience with anyone who might be struggling.
Like many teens, I was very shy and introvert-
ed. I had a hard time making friends and tended
to stay close to the ones I had. I spoke softly,
kept away from large social circles and generally
avoided attention.
Middle school came around and my friends were
getting very competitive in sports. I signed up for have far to go.
cross country, but my undiagnosed CMT made
me much slower than everyone else my age. You
can probably tell where this sob story is going.
I couldn’t keep up with everyone else, I was left
behind, etc. Finally, after a few months of test-
ing, I was diagnosed with CMT.
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After the diagnosis, I felt re-invigorated and I
started talking. I had a story to tell. CMT gave me
a purpose. I joined my first high school team—
cross country and I ran. When my leg braces
broke, I ran without them. When someone could
do more pushups than I could, I started doing
pushups every single day. I made the effort to
go outside my comfort zone to make new friends.
I went to football games, joined clubs and tried
to make myself a memorable friend to all of my
classmates.
Now that I’ve graduated, I can honestly say that
I am proud of the changes I’ve made, but I still
Today, a person with CMT is never alone. There
are so many people with this disorder going
out into the world and making a difference,
whether it’s through art, science or athletics.
Some compete in triathlons, some give huge