A head injury sustained during a volleyball game led to the diagnosis of a rare genetic disorder in a teenager in the United States. McKinnon Galloway, who was 16 at the time, underwent medical evaluation after being struck in the head while playing. Doctors conducted imaging studies to assess for possible concussion.
McKinnon Galloway, now 33, recalled that she injured her head while diving during a volleyball game and later underwent a routine MRI scan, as reported by SWNS via the New York Post. The scan revealed two tumors in her brain pressing on critical nerves, and doctors informed the Charlotte, North Carolina teen that she was likely to lose her hearing completely by the time she finished high school.
The tumors were located near the auditory nerves, which are responsible for hearing and balance. Based on these findings, doctors diagnosed her with neurofibromatosis type 2 (NF2), a rare neurological condition.
Following the diagnosis, Galloway developed multiple tumors in different parts of her body. Currently, Galloway has 13 tumors distributed across her body, including six in the spine, three in her hand, two in the neck, and two in the brain. The condition progressed gradually, consistent with the natural course of NF2.
To manage tumor growth, she underwent several forms of treatment, including medications, radiation therapy, and multiple surgeries. She has undergone four brain surgeries, including a life-saving procedure that resulted in complete hearing loss, along with experimental treatments.
Over time, the tumors affected her hearing. She first experienced hearing loss in one ear, followed by decline in the other. In 2022, after undergoing a prolonged surgical procedure, she developed complete hearing loss.
On New Year’s Day of 2022, I woke up on a family vacation in Russia completely deaf. I was like, ‘That’s nice. My mom has the TV on silent. That’s really nice of her.’ And then I sat up, and I was like, ‘I can’t hear you. I can’t hear anything.
McKinnon Galloway
Galloway stated that her medical condition placed significant strain on her family. She reported that her father developed alcohol dependence, with relapses often occurring after worsening test results or tumor progression.
Her father, Mark, a business owner, struggled to cope with his daughter’s diagnosis.
At the age of 25, she lost her father to suicide. She acknowledged her mother, Tracy, for taking on both parental roles during this period. Galloway credited her mother’s support as a critical factor in her care and survival.
As reported by SWNS via the New York Post, she said,
My mom stepped in and took both parent roles. She became the chair of the board of the Children’s Tumor Foundation out of New York City to help and secure as much funding, research, and everything else as she could. So she really saved my life in a lot of ways.
McKinnon Galloway
Galloway is currently active as a content creator, public speaker, and advocate for individuals with neurofibromatosis type 2. She uses her social media platforms to share information about deaf communication technologies and to raise awareness about the condition.
She continues her advocacy through collaborations with organizations such as the Children’s Tumor Foundation, where she has served as a national ambassador and contributed to fundraising efforts supporting research.
She has also participated in advocacy initiatives in Washington, D.C., engaging with policymakers to support federal funding for research and treatment development.
Galloway continues to receive medical follow-up to monitor tumor progression and manage complications. Recent updates indicate that her condition has remained stable on imaging after several years of tumor growth.
She stated that she remains concerned about future tumor progression and the risk of vision loss, which can occur in individuals with NF2.
She noted that while her condition is currently stable, it can change at any time, adding that despite the challenges, she considers herself fortunate in her overall course so far.
(Rh/SS/MSM)
