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Elise Rosati is a 29-year-old pediatric brain tumor and pediatric Stroke survivor. Elise has her Master’s degree in Therapeutic Recreation from Temple University and her bachelor’s degree in Psychology from The College of New Jersey. She lives in Marlton, New Jersey, with her parents, her dog Dixie, and her cat Ivy. In addition to volunteering at Bancroft School at Voorhees Pediatric Facility, she loves writing poetry and short stories, as well as reading. She enjoys photography and scrapbooking. She also enjoys spending time with her family, friends, and her pets.
Elise was diagnosed with a Craniopharyngioma at the age of 11 in April of 2008 and had a stroke affecting her left side during the surgery to remove it. She faces challenges from side effects like extreme fatigue, left-sided weakness, blindness in her right eye, a left-sided field cut that takes up more than 50% of the vision in her left eye, and panhypopituitarism, along with other side effects.

She aspires to become a child life specialist, and is currently working on pursuing this goal.
It was after reading her grandfather’s poems as a child that Elise found an interest in writing poetry. Writing poetry continues to be an outlet for her after her surgery to voice her struggles with life after brain injury.

“Growing up, my life revolved around playing sports, so when my brain surgeon told me I could no longer play on a sports team, my life was shattered. I struggled to find new hobbies and interests to fill my time. I turned to activities such as scrapbooking, photography, and crafts, as well as writing poetry. Since then, whenever I’m struggling with the side effects of my tumors and stroke, I write because it is easier for me, putting a pen to paper to express my feelings, rather than to voice them myself.”

A card I received from my friend stated, “Life does not get easier, you just get stronger”. Even though my brain tumor and stroke robbed me of my vision and curtailed my movement, and I have lost sight, I have never lost sight of my vision. I have lost my mobility, though I have never lost my drive. Although my innocence was stolen, I never lost my lust for life, or my faith. I believe that the circumstances that caused me to be who I am today are the same circumstances that helped me to view the world from a different perspective. I perceive others with patience, compassion, and empathy. Facing each situation with strength and courage, I have seen evidence of a bible verse I treasure, “I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength” (Philippians 4:13)