Name
Lila Everest

Brain Tumor Type
Craniopharyngioma

Date of Diagnosis
Nov 2018

Age Group (If you are a caregiver/family member please check Caregiver/Family Member)
Children: 12 and under

Category
Creative Writing

Artist Statement (include type of art, techniques & materials used, what it means to you)
LILA'S POEM

Cranio Courage

No matter who you are
You can shine like a star,
Bravery and courage
Will get you far.

No need to go back to the start
Just remember to follow your heart,
Tell the world who you are
And show it in art.


Artist Statement:

"As everyone with a brain tumour knows, you often have to dig deep to find courage, and that’s what my poem is about.
Thank you for looking at my art, from Lila."

Bio (include your age, tumor type and date of diagnosis)
Hi, I’m Lila from Brighton in England.

I was diagnosed with a craniopharyngioma in Nov 2018, aged 5 and had surgery and proton radiotherapy. After several years of stability, my tumour started to grow again during lockdown.

In the last 18 months, I have had 2 craniotomies and started immunotherapy.

During this time I have had to deal with the sudden loss of most of my vision and some appetite difficulties, alongside the usual pituitary deficits that come with a craniopharyngioma.

Art has helped me enormously when I have had difficult times over the past 5 years.