Everyone has their differences. Some are hidden, like a secret coin collection in the back of their closet, but others are more visible. Sophomore Katherine King falls into the second category.

Ten years ago, King was diagnosed with genetic neuromuscular dystrophy. Neuromuscular dystrophy affects the muscles and peripheral motor nerves, but King doesn’t let her disease or walking with a cane affect the activities she loves.

“I generally don’t let it hold me back,” King said. “Like, even if I look at something and think it seems challenging, I try and find a way around it ‘cause, you know, that’s what just needs to happen. I just work with it.”

She enjoys doing things like drawing, watching movies, hanging out with friends and family and taking pictures. She doesn’t let having a disability hold her back, especially when it came to musical theater.

“I did two plays at Cavelero in eighth and ninth grade. That had its own challenges…,” King said. “Personally, I had to think about should I volunteer to be in that dance? Am I going to be asking too much of myself? Is that kind of dance move, am I going to be able to do that? Am I at risk of falling by doing that? It had its own challenges. I sort of just figured that out and worked through it.”

When it comes to her peers, King doesn’t let any of them affect her. She learned at an early age that younger kids were a lot harsher than adults.

“I remember when I was eight or something, my brothers would tease me about being a ginger or whatever, but adults loved it.” King said. “They actually liked it, while kids found it as a target point, so I kind of figured out from that, okay, young people are idiots.”

Sophomore Grace Fortney, one of King’s friends, has also noticed how King doesn’t let her peers stand in her way.

“She really doesn’t give up and she doesn’t really care what people think of her. She just kind of goes and does whatever she wants and powers through it.” Fortney said.

King also has to put a lot of consideration into the amount of energy she gives certain activities and if there are certain things like stairs in a certain area.

“I used be very careful about stepping, and I would stare at the ground to make sure I wouldn’t trip over anything.” King said. “I was very precautious walking. So it’s a lot different from a normal, another kid who would just walk around or whatever. It doesn’t matter.”

Although Katherine King’s difference may stand out more than other people’s, she doesn’t let it get in the way of doing the things she loves.