STRENGTH IN EVERY STORY™
A Fight Against Bullying and Brain Injury
Isabella’s Story, December 2024
As told by: Fabiola Palomo
Diagnosis received: New daily persistent headache (NDPH), Occipital neuralgia, Migraine
Symptoms: Sensitivity to light, Sensitivity to noise, Ice-picking stabbing pain, Tight-rope squeezing head pain
What felt like an ordinary school day, from Niskayuna, New York, Isabella’s life changed forever when she was in the fifth grade and a bully maliciously yanked out her chair as she was about to sit down.
As a result, Isabella suffered a concussion, fractured tailbone, and back and neck injuries. Due to the concussion, a type of traumatic brain injury (TBI), Isabella now lives with two rare and invisible but debilitating headache disorders: New Daily Persistent Headache (NDPH) and Occipital Neuralgia (ON).
Now, at 21, Isabella faces persistent headache and migraine attacks, a lasting consequence of the fall that forever changed her life.
A Change in Life's Course
For as long as she can remember, Isabella’s dream was to become a Radio City Musical Hall Rockette. After the concussion and its effects, Isabella was deprived of that dream along with other interests, “Tap dance and tennis lessons were replaced with numerous doctor, X-ray, MRIs, and physical therapy appointments.”
At first, Isabella had a 504 Plan in place at school, which offered the necessary accommodations. While some helped, the relentless pain and appointments made school overwhelming. “Between the pain I was in and all the appointments, I missed so much school,” she said.
By 8th grade, she was placed on “Homebound Instruction,” an educational support service provided to students who are unable to attend school due to a medical condition. This would shape the rest of her academic life.
“Little did I know it would last all through high school,” she said. With such debilitating symptoms taking control of her life, Isabella never got the chance to attend school in person, go to prom, or join after-school activities and clubs like her peers.
However, Isabella didn’t let those losses define her. With a new purpose, she established The Isabella Marie Sementilli Never Crumble!®️ Scholarship that is awarded to a high school senior who has faced and overcome an obstacle in their life. In response to her experience, she also turned to advocacy for anti-bullying and brain injury awareness.
With a passion for baking, Isabella started her business, Bella Cervella– Italian for “beautiful brain.” She also created her cookie, Iznettes®️, with the slogan and motto “Never Crumble!®️.” The phrase appears on merchandise like t-shirts, sweatshirts, trucker hats, healing stone bracelets, and even a doll. All sales from her business are donated to local and national anti-bullying and brain injury awareness organizations.
“Anyone who has suffered a brain injury in sports, a car accident, physical violence, a fall, or even in combat—we are all in it together and we are all tough cookies that will Never Crumble!®️,” shared Isabella.
Courageous, Dauntless, and Unafraid
Isabella refused to be paralyzed with fear and was driven to reshape her traumatic experience into one that could guide or help make a positive impact on the lives of individuals facing similar, if not the same, circumstances as hers.
“Although I could no longer do things I love like tap dance and tennis, I knew I couldn’t just sit and do nothing.” This led Isabella to write, illustrate, and publish her first picture book, The Short Story of One Tough Cookie: A True Story, where it was featured at the Hudson Children’s Book Festival, demonstrating that anyone can maintain a positive outlook and adapt to life’s challenges, or through Isabella’s courageous words, “be that tough cookie- and Never Crumble!®️ no matter what the obstacle is.”
Becoming an Anti-Bullying Advocate and Bringing Awareness to the Impact of Brain Injuries
With Isabella’s life changing in the blink of an eye, she finds importance in spreading kindness and bringing awareness to the impact bullying and brain injuries have on the lives of those affected by it.
Focused on making a difference and sharing her story, Isabella has received notable awards and recognition, including Youth Leader for the Brain Injury Association of NYS Advocacy Day, the Ruth Bader Ginsberg Agent of Change Award from the New York State Minorities in Criminal Justice for promoting peace and non-violence, the Women of Excellence Award from NYS Assemblyman Phil Steck and honored with the 2023 NYS Woman of Distinction Award from NYS Senator James Tedisco, among other awards.
In hopes of having others feel seen and understood, Isabella understands the value of voicing both struggles and triumphs, “I want my message, ‘Be nice. Be kind. Share a smile,’ to be the inspiration that gets someone through their tough time. I call it the Izzy Cure!”
