Miguel was diagnosed at the age of 18 with Neurofibromatosis Type 2, only a year after he lost his mother to cancer. He became legally deaf at the age of 21 after his second surgery to remove an acoustic neuroma. After he became deaf he learned ASL while attending California Polytechnic State University. He decided he wanted to help others with disabilities and focused on a career in rehabilitation services. He nearly died as a result of a brain tumor and an infection after he finished his Masters degree. He went on to have 14 surgeries through out his life, not including other procedures he had to endure as a result of his NF2. In the winter of 2012, he had surgery for an auditory brain stem implant, and was able to hear sounds. A week before his 46th birthday, his battle was cut short not by his long battle against NF2 but in car accident caused by a drunk driver. He left behind two children, a daughter and a son. He was an inspirational hero and is dearly missed.
MIguel Angel Duarte
Miguel was diagnosed at the age of 18 with Neurofibromatosis Type 2, only a year after he lost his mother to cancer. He became legally deaf at the age of [...]