Meet our heroes

These people are living with a rare disease and educating the wider public.

Reza’s Story

Cystinosis

Thirteen-year-old Reza lives in Iran with his family, and he is also living with a rare disease called Cystinosis. Within the past century, Cystinosis has… Continue reading Reza’s Story

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Nitzia’s Story

Turner syndrome

As a child, Nitzia attended medical appointments for nine years across four different hospitals before she was finally diagnosed with Turner syndrome.

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Jelena’s Story

Cystic Fibrosis

Jelena finds it difficult to breathe as her lungs do not function properly. Unlike someone who has a more common condition, such as asthma, Jelena… Continue reading Jelena’s Story

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Shambhavi’s Story

Alagille syndrome

Frequent visits to doctors and hospitals form many of Shambhvai’s earliest memories. To her frustration, she kept being treated for individual symptoms as opposed to… Continue reading Shambhavi’s Story

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Zixuan’s Story

Mucopolysaccharidosis type 1

Zixuan was two years old when her family started the long process of trying to find a medical diagnosis for her increasing array of symptoms.… Continue reading Zixuan’s Story

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Tshepiso Gloria’s Story

Von Willebrand’s Disease

For over twenty years Tshepiso Gloria coped with a bleeding disorder before eventually being diagnosed. She went from doctor to doctor, hospital to hospital and… Continue reading Tshepiso Gloria’s Story

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Wafic’s Story

Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy

Soon after Wafic from Lebanon was born, his parents realised something did not seem quite right. After having spent a worrying few months in hospital… Continue reading Wafic’s Story

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Syafiq’s Story

Hypohidrotic Ectodermal Dysplasia (HED)

I am Syafiq from Malaysia and I am living with Hypohidrotic Ectodermal Dysplasia (HED). I love hiking in the jungle and jogging (which previously I… Continue reading Syafiq’s Story

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Regina’s Story

Leiomyosarcoma

Sou mãe de 3 meninos, 2 deles com uma doença rara chamada MUCOPOLISSACARIDOSE Tipo VI. Meu mais velho, Nilton faleceu aos 6 anos devido à… Continue reading Regina’s Story

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Vasco’s Story

Gaucher Disease

6-year-old Vasco from Peru loves to play, paint, dance and read. But most of all, he loves spending time with his family. It took three… Continue reading Vasco’s Story

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Nada’s Story

Epidermolysis Bullosa

22-year-old Nada, whose life has been impacted by a rare disease that makes it difficult for her to move, read and swallow, has got a… Continue reading Nada’s Story

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Taka’s Story

Retinitis Pigmentosa

Hi! My name is Taka, and I’m 36 years old from Japan. I was diagnosed with Retinitis Pigmentosa, a rare eye disease, when I was… Continue reading Taka’s Story

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Angelina’s story

Calcium/calmodulin dependent serine protein kinase (CASK)

My 5-year-old daughter, Angelina, is living with CASK-gene related disorders – more precisely, she is living with an X-linked intellectual disability, microcephaly with pontine and… Continue reading Angelina’s story

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Harvey’s story

Spinal Muscular Atrophy

My son Harvey has a rare condition; SMA, in full Spinal muscular atrophy type 1, which is the more severe type of the disease. Harvey’s… Continue reading Harvey’s story

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JK’s story

Osteogenesis Imperfecta

My name is Jon-Kristian, but you can call me JK! I am 12-years-old and I live in Norway with my family. I am living with… Continue reading JK’s story

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Tristan’s story

Sickle cell anemia

Hello everyone! My name is Tristan from the United States and I am living with Sickle cell anemia. My passion in life is fashion, design,… Continue reading Tristan’s story

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Gideon, The Little Warrior

I could lie and say Gideon started his life as an easy baby, but I will not. Gideon started his life with a BANG. He… Continue reading Gideon, The Little Warrior

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Sachin: Resilience in the face of Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy

My name is Sachin and I’m a 37-year-old guy who has a rare genetic disease known as Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD), which primarily affects males,… Continue reading Sachin: Resilience in the face of Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy

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Seeking a Cure for Simon

When my wife Edith was pregnant with Simon, our first child, we were filled with joy and excitement for what was to come. That joy… Continue reading Seeking a Cure for Simon

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Eliza’s story

Eliza has two rare conditions, Beckwith Wiedemann Syndrome and Metopic Craniosynostosis. Eliza’s story began when the midwife noticed Eliza had an abnormally large and long… Continue reading Eliza’s story

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I’m Not A Mystery

I was faced with an unnamed disease that tormented me for seven long years. This sudden and excruciating ailment left me with enduring pain, making… Continue reading I’m Not A Mystery

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Hector’s triumph

We had our son Hector on the 19th May 2023, he was a seemingly healthy baby and we couldn’t have been more smitten with him.… Continue reading Hector’s triumph

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Light of life

Vietnamese version right here, English version is below. Xin chào cả thế giới, Tôi là Đỗ Phước Huy, 30 tuổi, và tôi đến từ Việt… Continue reading Light of life

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MEN-1 might be rare but hope doesn’t have to be

Sharing my husbands story. My husband is a MEN 1 fighter a long with our daughter who is 6. Brian was diagnosed with MEN-1 at… Continue reading MEN-1 might be rare but hope doesn’t have to be

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My Ataxia journey…

My adventure with this condition began at the age of 16, when I started to lose my balance and got a drunken gait. Over time,… Continue reading My Ataxia journey…

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West Yorkshire family fight against rare disease

I am based in Skelmanthorpe, with my husband James, and my two children Elijah (4) and Stefan (5 months). I am writing to submit a… Continue reading West Yorkshire family fight against rare disease

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Living with the Challengers of a Complex Lymphatic Anomaly

Alfie, now 15, is a typical teenager giving me attitude. After receiving the diagnosis of lymphangiomatosis in 2009 I did not think we would ever… Continue reading Living with the Challengers of a Complex Lymphatic Anomaly

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A Cure for Sophia and Friends

Sophia Rose was born in 2007 to proud parents Rachel and Gary in Laguna Beach, CA, USA. We did not receive the diagnosis of her… Continue reading A Cure for Sophia and Friends

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Sloan’s Journey with Trevor’s Disease

On June 7, 2023 Sloan attended her last Level 3 artistic team gymnastics practice. Although she was a trooper throughout practice, near the end of… Continue reading Sloan’s Journey with Trevor’s Disease

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Sharing Anthony’s Journey: Navigating the World of Galloway-Mowat Syndrome (as told by his mom!!)

Meet my son Anthony, a courageous 4.5-year-old warrior with a spirit that inspires us all. Anthony’s journey began with a diagnosis at just 2 months… Continue reading Sharing Anthony’s Journey: Navigating the World of Galloway-Mowat Syndrome (as told by his mom!!)

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“Verily, With Hardship Comes Ease”

My name is Sareena. I was born on September 21, 1995. I was diagnosed with severe Factor VII Deficiency when I was two months old.… Continue reading “Verily, With Hardship Comes Ease”

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Love for Loredana

Loredana has a smile that lights up your soul, she can’t get enough hugs from her family members, and watching the family pets provides hours… Continue reading Love for Loredana

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BOR Warrior

I’m Lily and I’m 12. I have a rare condition called Branchiotorenal Syndrome. What does that mean? It means that I am deaf/ hard of… Continue reading BOR Warrior

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Using a Lifetime of Rare Disease to Change the Future

I’m Jenny and I’m a Rare Disease Advocate for Familial Adenomatous Polyposis (FAP) and Short Bowel Syndrome (SBS). I was diagnosed with FAP at age… Continue reading Using a Lifetime of Rare Disease to Change the Future

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A cdg journey

I was born as a normal child until one day my mom noticed I was turning blue with my arms up and eyes up. That… Continue reading A cdg journey

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Mein Leben mit EB

Mein Name ich Clara, ich bin 24 Jahre alt und wurde mit der seltenen Hautkrankheit Epidermolysis bullosa – kurz EB geboren. Meine Haut ist so… Continue reading Mein Leben mit EB

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Adapting to life with Dystonia

My life became very strange in the Summer of 2001. While pursuing my master’s degree in counseling, I noticed that my head was slightly tilting… Continue reading Adapting to life with Dystonia

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My experience living with EPP

I am Sam, a 21 year old film student living in the UK. I have recently created a short documentary for my course about living… Continue reading My experience living with EPP

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Rare Disease and Liver Transplant Warrior

Our son Cameron was born a seemingly healthy baby on November 4, 2022. After two days in the hospital, we were sent home with him… Continue reading Rare Disease and Liver Transplant Warrior

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Policondritis Recidivante/Relapsing Polychondritis

29 de febrero del 2024.. Hoy es el día de las personas que han sufrido, que han luchado, que han llorado por obtener un diagnóstico,… Continue reading Policondritis Recidivante/Relapsing Polychondritis

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The Brain is a misunderstanding.

My name is Kim and this is my focus story of rare disorder awareness. I know personally what it is — to have a rare… Continue reading The Brain is a misunderstanding.

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A dor é inevitável! O sofrimento é opcional !

Em 2017, aos 23 anos depois de fazer uma RM crânio cervical, e de inúmeros sintomas veio o diagnóstico que por sua vez tinha um… Continue reading A dor é inevitável! O sofrimento é opcional !

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Fighting with fragile bone

300 Million people with rare diseases 600+ events worldwide 106+ countries involved When my son Animesh Lamichhane was diagnosed with Osteogenesis Imperfecta (OI), doctors told… Continue reading Fighting with fragile bone

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Fabio und sein Plexusarm

Heute spreche ich für meinen Sohn Fabio, der am 18.09.23 mit einer geburtstraumatischen Plexusparese geboren ist. Eine Plexusparese ist eine Armlähmung durch eine Verletzung der… Continue reading Fabio und sein Plexusarm

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A Sturge-Weber mini warrior!

My 2 year old little man Kingsley, is the definition of a Sturge-Weber warrior! Born with a large Port-wine Stain Birthmark across half of his… Continue reading A Sturge-Weber mini warrior!

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One in a Million can be quite lonely

According to Google, the furry, adorable koala sleeps anywhere between 20-22 hours a day for survival, making it the sleepiest animal in the world. Apparently,… Continue reading One in a Million can be quite lonely

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Rare but Resilient

My name is Liljana and I am 11 years old and have adrenal insufficiency because of ACTH deficiency and primary ciliary dyskinesia. I had a… Continue reading Rare but Resilient

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I am still Katie

My name is Katie and I am from Spokane, Washington. Currently, I am in school pursing a career in nursing. I have Hereditary Angioedema. I… Continue reading I am still Katie

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Povestea mea cu Ataxia Spinocerebeloasa…

Mă numesc Mitre Anamaria din Zalău, jud. Sălaj, am 41 de ani şi de 24 de ani trăiesc cu o boală rară. Diagnosticul meu este… Continue reading Povestea mea cu Ataxia Spinocerebeloasa…

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Long jurney

Hello. My name is Agata. Im 41 years old. Im from Poland but live in Scotland for 14 years. Everything started 2011 on February with… Continue reading Long jurney

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Transformando corazones en #iFopers. Única en 2 millones

Tengo Fibrodisplacia Osificante Progresiva (FOP). Cuando yo nací, tenía una formación distinta en ambos pies, los médicos nos decían que tal vez a mi me… Continue reading Transformando corazones en #iFopers. Única en 2 millones

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My life with HNPP

As a nurse working in the height of COVID in 2020, while raising 2 little children ages 5 and 2, I began having strange symptoms.… Continue reading My life with HNPP

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From Teacher to Moyamoya Warrior

My name is Melissa and I reside in Cleveland, Ohio, with my amazing husband, Luke and our dog, Duke. I have always loved kids and… Continue reading From Teacher to Moyamoya Warrior

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d’une suspicion de déshydratation à un chylothorax bilatéral réfractaire

Je m’appelle Aleeza, j’avais 4.5 ans quand j’ai été prise de vomissements … ma maman qui n’est pas d’une nature stressée a tout de même… Continue reading d’une suspicion de déshydratation à un chylothorax bilatéral réfractaire

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My Journey with Wilsons Disease

My name is Nicolette. I am 21 years old and was diagnosed with Wilsons Disease in October 2023. Wilsons disease has not been known to… Continue reading My Journey with Wilsons Disease

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Shining Through Darkness: Sara’s Journey with BPAN, a Tale of Strength and Hope

Sara, a remarkable young lady who embodies the spirit of courage and resilience in the face of a rare neurodegenerative disorder known as Beta-Propeller Protein-Associated… Continue reading Shining Through Darkness: Sara’s Journey with BPAN, a Tale of Strength and Hope

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The Stranger that lives between my Bones

She did not have a name for the longest time; all I knew was that she brought a pain I never knew existed. She would… Continue reading The Stranger that lives between my Bones

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How A Rare Neuromuscular Disease Saved My Life

Strange Symptoms My jaw literally dropped. Chewing, speaking, and swallowing led to severe bulbar exhaustion, and the inability to move my jaw. The symptoms progressed… Continue reading How A Rare Neuromuscular Disease Saved My Life

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Celebrating Life and Spreading Awareness in Cancer Survivorship

When I was 21 years old, I found out I was pregnant. I didn’t know that the pregnancy would be the only surprise that year,… Continue reading Celebrating Life and Spreading Awareness in Cancer Survivorship

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Turning Pain Into Purpose With Rare Disease Girl

After giving birth to my baby, I triggered an idiopathic rare disease called Atypical Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome. It caused a cascade of life-threatening issues including… Continue reading Turning Pain Into Purpose With Rare Disease Girl

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My journey is one of resilience, self-advocacy, and hope.

My name is Rain, From my earliest memories, I have carried the weight of excruciating stomach pains. These pains stole away the joys of a… Continue reading My journey is one of resilience, self-advocacy, and hope.

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Turning grief into purpose

I’m Carla, a mom of a Hirschsprung’s Disease (HD) child -who passed away at the age of 14 months- due to an undiagnosed enterocolitis. For… Continue reading Turning grief into purpose

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Tommy’s RTD Journey (as told by his mom!)

Before his diagnosis, Tommy was a normal, happy little boy. He was a little developmentally delayed, but we didn’t think much of it. He was… Continue reading Tommy’s RTD Journey (as told by his mom!)

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My story with Anorrectal Malformation

Primeramente les cuento que vivimos en Tandil, Provincia de Buenos Aires. En el 2017 nace mi segundo hijo Fermín. Era muy extraño todo con él,… Continue reading My story with Anorrectal Malformation

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Love Isn’t Rare

Growing up in a family impacted by Huntington’s Disease – a rare and incurable genetic disorder, I feel compelled to share my exceptional life experiences… Continue reading Love Isn’t Rare

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Benjamin’s journey

Benjamin was about 3 months old when he had his first seizure (that we know of), he was sent to sick kids hospital in Toronto… Continue reading Benjamin’s journey

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Evie’s story

Evie was diagnosed with a very rare life threatening genetic condition called LPIN1 in April 2023 age 4 years old. Caused by both parents having… Continue reading Evie’s story

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Yeni’s Story

Hi, my name is Yeni, from Indonesia. I have rare disease called Friedreich’s Ataxia. I’m diagnosed with Friedreich’s Ataxia (FA) when I was 19 years… Continue reading Yeni’s Story

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Mighty Morgan

Morgan’s journey began innocently enough, with her parents, Darius and Laura, eagerly embracing the joys of parenthood. However, after coming home from the hospital, they… Continue reading Mighty Morgan

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My baby broke my back

I first felt pain in my back in July 2019, when my first baby was a month old. It just got worse and worse, and… Continue reading My baby broke my back

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Two of a kind

Jaxon (age 14) and Jeren (age 10) are brothers who mirror each other with genetics. Both boys have multiple gene deletions that have resulted in… Continue reading Two of a kind

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Amelia, CLN1 Batten Disease Warrior!

Our daughter, Amelia, was diagnosed with CLN1 Batten Disease (neuronal ceroid lipofuscinosis) at 2 years old. Before learning of her diagnosis, we had never heard… Continue reading Amelia, CLN1 Batten Disease Warrior!

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Non sono quello che mi è successo. Sono quello che ho scelto di essere. Carl Gustav Jung

Hai presente quando alla fine di un film giallo svelano il nome dell’assassino e tutti gli indizi sparsi ore precedenti trovano finalmente una collocazione? Ecco,… Continue reading Non sono quello che mi è successo. Sono quello che ho scelto di essere. Carl Gustav Jung

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1 heure à la fois

À l’occasion de la Journée des Maladies Rares, je souhaite partager avec vous mon parcours avec le Syndrome de Schmidt. Depuis septembre 2021, je vis… Continue reading 1 heure à la fois

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Katie’s Story

My name is Katie and I was diagnosed with CMTC when I was 5 months old. I am now 30 years old and have lived… Continue reading Katie’s Story

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Annarita e la sua passione per la danza oltre la disabilità

Mi chiamo Annarita ho 27 anni e sono residente a Pagani, un paese in provincia di Salerno. Il destino ha voluto che proprio il giorno… Continue reading Annarita e la sua passione per la danza oltre la disabilità

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Melodies of Resilience: Chapman’s Undiagnosis Disease and Musical Triumph

Chapman, an extraordinary 12-year-old blind pianist, has embarked on an incredible journey since his birth. Born in Hong Kong and currently residing in London, Chapman… Continue reading Melodies of Resilience: Chapman’s Undiagnosis Disease and Musical Triumph

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Brittle but not broken

At three and a half months old, my first fracture appeared. Within a year, I had fractured three more bones. The doctor after having a… Continue reading Brittle but not broken

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Josiah’s Journey through FCAS

Josiah is 23 months old and been having symptoms since birth! Starting with 3 infections at 10 days old, which lead to a spinal tap… Continue reading Josiah’s Journey through FCAS

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My Mast Cell Disease Story

In 2018 I was diagnosed with CIRS: Chronic inflammatory response syndrome, Adrenal Insufficiency, and was also believed to be Mast Cell Disease. I had a… Continue reading My Mast Cell Disease Story

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Leo’s story

Our little Leo was born at 37 weeks after an emergency scan He was released from the hospital two days after birth with no health… Continue reading Leo’s story

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Oakley’s Journey

Oakley was diagnosed with Nicolaides-Baraitser Syndrome in October 2019. When I was pregnant with Oakley, we knew we wanted to choose a good, strong name… Continue reading Oakley’s Journey

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A little insight to my daily life!

My name is Amber and I live in Queensland. I was born with Netherton Syndrome which is a form of Ichthyosis. Ichthyosis is an extremely… Continue reading A little insight to my daily life!

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Vivir en un mundo de 5 dedos

Hola soy Ana Victoria una niña de 8 años que a vivido en un mundo de personas con 5 dedos en cada mano, siempre busco… Continue reading Vivir en un mundo de 5 dedos

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Nevidljiva

Lijep pozdrav. Moje ime je Senaida, a moj sin se zove Dželal, koji boluje od rijetkog oboljenja, cistične fibroze. Živimo u Srebreniku mali gradić u… Continue reading Nevidljiva

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Je transcende mon handicap

Je m’appelle Julien, j’ai 34 ans et je suis atteint d’une Myopathie de Duchenne. Il s’agit d’une maladie génétique rare qui provoque une dégénérescence musculaire… Continue reading Je transcende mon handicap

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Синдром на Гителман

Здравейте казвам се Камелия, медицинска сестра съм от България.Синът ми се казва Максим и страда от рядко генетично заболяване Синдром на Гителман.Още от много малък… Continue reading Синдром на Гителман

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Short leg but hopeful eyes

Sofia is 1 year and 9 months old. She has congenital defect. Her left leg is shorter than right leg by 9,5 cm. And until… Continue reading Short leg but hopeful eyes

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MARC, A HAPPY FACE DESPITE HIS RPS6KA3 GENE MUTATION

Marc, our son, is a wonderful 11-year-old enjoying life in the green, residential town of Sant Cugat (Barcelona, Spain). Not only does he fill our… Continue reading MARC, A HAPPY FACE DESPITE HIS RPS6KA3 GENE MUTATION

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Ліза із Маріуполя .

Доброго дня . Чудова , життєрадісна Ліза , із міста Марії, із Маріуполя . Нам пощастило вибратися із окупації , та втекти від війни .… Continue reading Ліза із Маріуполя .

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Sentirsi diversi senza esserlo

Sono Valentina, ho 23 anni, appena arrivata in Italia a 7 anni mi hanno diagnosticato a Udine hypoglycemia una malattia rara che pochissimi conoscono. La… Continue reading Sentirsi diversi senza esserlo

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Living with CDH

I was 27 weeks pregnant when my MFM confirmed our son would be born with congenital diaphragmatic hernia. He had right sided CDH, with liver… Continue reading Living with CDH

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Not Too Rare To Care

Hi, my name is Jayme and I am 26 years old. When I was born in 1996, my Mom along with Doctors knew there was… Continue reading Not Too Rare To Care

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My Story My Journey (قصتي رحلتي)

Hello 👋 My name is Omaima but you can call me om , I’m from Kuwait city 🥰🇰🇼 Have arteriovenous malformation (avm ) left leg… Continue reading My Story My Journey (قصتي رحلتي)

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