Nell Choi

Nell Choi is a teen advocate, speaker, and author. Diagnosed with Neuromyelitis Optica at age nine, Nell developed a passion for storytelling that led her to publish her first book at age twelve, called My Hospital Story, to provide hope to others living with chronic illness. In addition to writing, Nell leverages her artwork to communicate her rare disease story to legislators and advocate for key healthcare legislation. As the first junior ambassador to The Sumaira Foundation for NMO, she has been a panelist at patient days and moderated panel discussions with key opinion leaders at UCLA. Nell’s passion to serve the community extends beyond rare disease. At her high school leads the chapter of the Wellness Box Foundation to address the issue of period poverty in Montgomery County, as well as initiating an allied space for students with physical disabilities. Through her involvement with Butterfly Books, Nell continues to spread her love for storytelling— because stories not only allow children to feel seen and understood but also open their minds to new worlds and perspectives.