Advocacy Anywhere: Communication With Your DoctorThrough my many healthcare experiences due to having cystic fibrosis, I have experienced the power that lies in self-advocating for my health in the clinic setting. My passion is to empower...Reactions0reactionsComments0 comments
New Year’s Resolutions and Rare DiseasesI'm not a fan of New Year's resolutions. I'm sure many of us have seen or done this before – we make big goals that are not necessarily attainable, and...Reactions0reactionsComments0 comments
Getting Back Into Advocacy After BurnoutReaching complete physical, mental, and emotional exhaustion is a serious threat that can occur in a variety of life situations – not just in the career field. Living with chronic...Reactions0reactionsComments0 comments
Finding Your Way After Your Child Is Diagnosed With a Rare DiseaseI remember being in the doctor's office and hearing my son would most likely never walk. As his mom, even though there was an obvious difference between my son and...Reactions0reactionsComments0 comments
10 Reasons Why Students With a Rare Disease Should Consider a 504 PlanAs a caregiver for my daughter, who lives with challenges from a rare disease, I strive to protect her at home and school. As we prepare for her first high...Reactions0reactionsComments0 comments
Living for the Good ThingsLiving with a rare disease comes along with a lot of difficulties. It can be scary at times, too, not having control over your own health. I live with narcolepsy...Reactions0reactionsComments0 comments
Parenting and Rare Disease: 5 Bonding Activities to Try With Your ChildIf you are caring for a medically complex child, it can be difficult to find ways to bond, interact, and keep them busy. Modifying everyday activities based on your child's...Reactions0reactionsComments0 comments
Which Specialist Needs to Know Your Symptoms? All of Them.Time and time again, I'm reminded about the importance of telling every single one of my doctors about my health updates – including bothersome symptoms – even when it is...Reactions0reactionsComments0 comments
Groin Older: Aging With HemophiliaAs a child born in the mid-70s with hemophilia, I was part of a unique generation. Access to new treatments made a more "normal" life possible, or at least one...Reactions0reactionsComments4 comments
Parenting and Rare Disease: A Journey Through Grief and AcceptanceThe day my amazing little boy was born, I knew he was different. I was 22 years old and forced to grow up quicker than most. Motherly instincts, formed over...Reactions0reactionsComments0 comments
Reflecting on the People We Would Never Meet OtherwiseIt's a beautiful thing to meet someone who makes you forget your troubles. - author unknown I have always strived to see the good in every situation. I will admit...Reactions0reactionsComments0 comments
Personal Grooming With a Rare DiseaseLiving with a rare chronic disease isn't for the faint of heart. I live with type 1 narcolepsy, and the long list of things it impacts in my life is...Reactions0reactionsComments0 comments
Keeping Your Family Connected When Raising a Child With a Rare DiseaseRaising a child with a rare disease extends beyond medical hurdles – it encompasses emotional and familial challenges. The impact ripples through our entire family, influencing relationships and our day-to-day...Reactions0reactionsComments0 comments
How Do I Find a Specialist for My Rare Disease?When you are diagnosed with a rare disease, you will likely have many questions and concerns. Finding a specialist who can guide you on your journey is key. The specialist...Reactions0reactionsComments0 comments
Why Caregivers Feel IsolatedBeing a rare caregiver comes with many challenges that the community as a whole can't relate to. Though every rare family is different, I think many of us would agree...Reactions0reactionsComments0 comments
Participating in a Focus Group as a Rare Disease PatientRecently, the Cystic Fibrosis (CF) Foundation invited me to participate in a focus group with other late-diagnosed CFers. It was a fascinating experience that led me to want to share...Reactions0reactionsComments0 comments
My Rare Disease Holiday Survival GuideLiving with a rare disease like narcolepsy means that I have to live my life around my symptoms. Unfortunately, we don't get the holidays off from our rare diseases! Living...Reactions0reactionsComments0 comments
Creating Business Cards for Rare Disease AdvocacyThink back to any time you shared about your rare disease with someone. Perhaps it was with a stranger, and it was just in passing. Perhaps it was with a technician completing a medical test for you...Reactions0reactionsComments0 comments
Into the Unknown With My Rare DiseaseI had a dream (or was it a nightmare?) last night about my disease symptoms increasing rapidly. I woke up blurry-eyed, slightly bemused that this had entered my dreamscape and...Reactions0reactionsComments0 comments
3 Ways You Can Help a Rare Disease CaregiverI am not going to lie and say that being a rare disease parent is easy. It is often a challenge for me to get through the day. I feel...Reactions0reactionsComments0 comments
