Chloe is a middle schooler with a passion for fashion and a love for the outdoors. She collects Vogue magazines and enjoys the thrill of thrift shopping for designer clothes that might otherwise be out of reach. An active athlete, Chloe competes in the 100-meter dash and cross-country events, balancing her love for style with a commitment to physical fitness. She also finds joy in paddle boarding, kayaking, and even hiking, especially when there's a dessert reward waiting at the end. Living in the Pacific Northwest, Chloe deeply appreciates the natural beauty around her.

But Chloe’s story goes beyond her hobbies and interests. She was born with an encephalocele, a condition where a small portion of her brain and membranes extended through an opening in her skull near her left eye. At just six months old, Chloe underwent a complex surgery to remove the non-functional brain tissue and repair the hole left by the encephalocele, with surgeons using muscle from her cheek and bone from her skull to reconstruct the area. This condition also affected the symmetry of her eyes, making them appear different from each other.

Growing up, Chloe became self-conscious about the way people stared at her, making her acutely aware of her differences. Over the years, she has had a total of eight surgeries on her brain, eye muscles, and the area around her eye—each necessary to address ongoing issues related to her condition. While these surgeries have been challenging, they have shaped her experience of growing up with a visible difference.

Now, Chloe wants to use her experience to help others who might feel self-conscious about their appearance. She aims to challenge the systems and status quo that make people feel "othered" for looking different. By sharing her story and advocating for change, Chloe hopes to create a world where everyone is accepted for who they are, beyond just their appearance.