Living Your Dreams When Living with Rare Disease: How Chris Anselmo Learned to Follow His Heart
After his diagnosis of limb-girdle muscular dystrophy type 2B at age 21, Chris initially opted for a safe career path, choosing jobs with steady income, benefits, and predictability. However, this decision made him feel like something was missing. Find out how Chris was finally able to follow his heart, finding purpose and contentment in becoming a writer.
On Family, Fortitude, and Forces of Nature
Know Rare writer Gina DeMillo Wagner’s new memoir, Forces of Nature explores powerful themes related to caregiving and rare disease.
Lindsay’s Story: What It’s Like to Live with Myositis
Journalist Lindsay Guentzel offers an inside look at life with the rare muscular condition.
Defining the Disease: The MOG Project
Many people living with rare disease describe life in terms of before and after: Before a diagnosis, they experience frustration, confusion, and exhaustion as they see various doctors and try to make sense of their symptoms. After a diagnosis, they may experience waves of relief mixed with a determination to find treatments – and often, grief about the impacts of the disease on their lives. No one understands how it feels to step across that invisible before-and-after line better than Julia Lefelar, Executive Director and Co-founder of the MOG Project.
All Good Things
Author Erin Paterson talks about Huntington’s Disease, family planning, and the healing power of sharing your story.
Visiting the Disease: Orit’s Story
Orit recently joined the Know Rare business development team with the goal of helping other caregivers and patients learn more about how to engage with clinical studies and other opportunities for support. Here’s how she is reframing attitudes towards life with a rare condition.
Avery's Remarkable Rare Path: A One-in-a-Million Diagnostic Journey
Caitlin Eppes shares the inspiring story of The Avery Project, an initiative named after her daughter and dedicated to research of her rare genetic variant, and discusses how her family defied one-in-a-million odds to find a breakthrough in their diagnostic journey.
Anxiety: The Unwelcome Visitor
How writer Chris Anselmo confronts one of the most challenging yet persistent aspects of living with rare disease.
Pregnant After Rare: Week 30
As a pivotal diagnostic date approaches, a Rare Mom reflects on the complicated emotions associated with pregnancy.
What is a Child Life Specialist?
Learn what Certified Child Life Specialists do and why they can be a major asset to families navigating rare disease journeys in this story by Katie Whelan, a Certified Child Life Specialist & Family Engagement Coordinator.
We All Have a Story to Tell
Storytelling is a powerful way to process adversity and make a difference in someone else's life.
Role Models Light the Way
It is important to find others who understand what you're going through.
Hello, Adversity: Introducing Chris Anselmo
Know Rare is thrilled to be partnering with Chris Anselmo, author of “Hello, Adversity,” as he becomes a regular contributor to our platform.
Thriving Rare
As a child, Becky Tilley often felt like she didn’t fit in or wasn’t as successful as other kids in most academic areas… except for one subject: English. Her love for reading and writing returned in her adulthood, when she started blogging about living with a rare disease called Koolen-de Vries. Learn about her newest book, Thrive Rare: Embracing the Uniqueness Within, born of her desire to spread hope.
Share your Rare: Krystel El Koussa
I was twenty-six years old, a filmmaker, leading a totally normal and healthy life, until I was diagnosed with myasthenia gravis. My name is Krystel El Koussa, and this is my story.
Share your Rare: Alice's Story
Alice, a rare mother from the Czech Republic, shares her story with the rare community. She talks about the diagnosis process, the hopes, and the challenges of taking care of her son Alexík, who lives with three rare diseases.