North Atlanta sophomore Ellie Tavani was born with a rare skin disease called Epidermolysis Bullosa (EB). This disease has sadly limited her in all aspects of life, but that is not stopping her from living life to the fullest. From being a lover of sports to enjoying spending time around her friends and family, Ellie Tavani is much more than the skin disease that covers her body.

The skin disease, Epidermolysis Bullosa, is a rare genetic tissue disorder that affects one out of every 20,000 births in the United States. Tavani more specifically has RDEB, as in Dystrophic EB. She was born with very little collagen-7 in her skin, which is the “glue” that holds your skin together. This means that she is very prone to getting blisters, as well as scarring and open wounds from even the slightest of friction on her skin. “It has a big impact on my life and what I am able to do physically, but I try my best to adapt and not let it affect me when I can,” Tavani said.

Ellie is not one to let that stop her, though. She enjoys hanging out with her family and friends. She even keeps up with the NFL and MLB in her free time, cheering on the New York Jets and the New York Yankees. Some of her favorite things to do include shopping at Urban Outfitters or Zara, grabbing a coffee, and going to the movies. “Depending on my mood I am thinking of a mocha or even a nice cold brew,” she said. “I think “Knives Out” was the last movie I watched and the dramatic plot twists just made it so good!”

Ellie Tavani may have been struck with a challenge that comes in the form of a rare skin disease, but she continues to prove that nothing is going to stand in her way from enjoying the things she loves the most. Ellie strives to focus on what she can do and not what she can not do. She keeps making progress in becoming more comfortable within herself, even if it is just one step at a time.