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.
Share your Rare: Edward Gent
Learn about the incredible story of Edward Gent, a Sports Nutritionist diagnosed with MMN, who decided to create an app to help others worldwide with their disease and symptom management.
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.
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.
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.
My Unexpected and Powerful Clinical Trial Journey
The bittersweet and unpredictable chain of events that made Donna Rae Menard a believer in the clinical trial process.
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.
A Myasthenia Gravis Health Story: Cate’s formula for remission despite life’s stress
Cate shares her experience of living with myasthenia gravis, and reveals how practicing mindfulness and gratitude have greatly improved both her mental health and daily life.
Rare Mom Health Story: Irritability - a Symptom of Being a Rare Caregiver
Caring for someone with a rare disease can tremendously impact our daily life and well-being. Annie Harper shares her mental health journey and the importance of finding the right support.
Lindsay's Story: A Myasthenia Gravis Journey from Despair to Hope
My name is Lindsay Alpert and I am thirty-one years old. This is my journey and path to my diagnosis of a rare chronic autoimmune neuromuscular disorder, Myasthenia Gravis.
What It’s Like To Live With ITP: Laura’s Story
Laura shares her story of living with MS and ITP, a rare disease that affects the number of platelets in the blood. Learn more about her perspective on life, her day-to-day activities, and her experience in joining a clinical study.
What It’s Like To Live With ITP: Joan’s Story
Joan shares her experience of living with ITP, a rare disease that affects the number of platelets in the blood. Learn more about her worries and the useful advice that she offers to the Know Rare community.