Born and raised in Chicago, Illinois, at less than a year old, Laurie Ann was diagnosed with an eye disease called Retinitis Pigmentosa - this disease causes the retina to degenerate resulting in significant vision loss. Not allowing her visual impairment to hinder her passions in life, Laurie Ann pursued her love of storytelling through childhood and on, into adulthood. Laurie Ann studied at the Colorado Film School and earned a degree in Writing and Directing at the University of Colorado at Denver. She has received honors and awards in the independent film industry for her short film, 'The White Room' and is the author of the recently published short story, "Birdie Nook".