CHANGEMAKERS Gina D. Wagner CHANGEMAKERS Gina D. Wagner

Changemakers in Rare: Becca Salky

At age 15, Becca Salky became her own medical detective, playing a key role in uncovering her diagnosis. Now, as a Clinical Research Coordinator at Massachusetts General Hospital, she focuses on spreading awareness about MOG, finding better diagnostic tools, leading clinical trials, and fighting gender disparity. 

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REAL STORIES Gina D. Wagner REAL STORIES Gina D. Wagner

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.

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REAL STORIES Gina D. Wagner REAL STORIES Gina D. Wagner

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.

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REAL STORIES Gina D. Wagner REAL STORIES Gina D. Wagner

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.

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ORGANIZATION SPOTLIGHT Gina D. Wagner ORGANIZATION SPOTLIGHT Gina D. Wagner

Organization Spotlight: SAMi

After their son’s diagnosis of Epilepsy, the Anderson’s struggled to find a sleep-monitoring solution that worked for them. They decided to take matters into their own hands and created SAMi, a device designed to track nocturnal seizures as well as many other nighttime symptoms. Now, the family continues to develop SAMi, and unlock potential in the device that they are uncovering as they go.

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CHANGEMAKERS Gina D. Wagner CHANGEMAKERS Gina D. Wagner

Beneath the Surface: How dermatologist Prince Adotama, MD, is changing the way we think about rare disease and our skin

When it comes to complex, rare diseases, most people don’t think “dermatology.” But they should, says Prince Adotama, MD, a board-certified dermatologist and faculty member at NYU. Dr. Adotama specializes in skin of color care and skin autoimmune disorders, including rare bullous disorders.

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CHANGEMAKERS Gina D. Wagner CHANGEMAKERS Gina D. Wagner

Organization Spotlight: Safe Harbor, a podcast for parents and families of children with disabilities

For parents and other family members of children with disabilities, nothing is more comforting than the voice and wisdom of someone who’s been there—someone who truly understands the ups and downs of living alongside someone with a rare disease or rare disorder. That’s why Theresa Bartolotta decided to offer a podcast.

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CHANGEMAKERS Gina D. Wagner CHANGEMAKERS Gina D. Wagner

Providing a Medical Home

Jessica Duis, MD is more than a pediatric geneticist. She’s a partner and friend to children and adults who have Angelman, dup15q, and other related syndromes. Throughout her career, she has noticed a need for patients and their families to find community and support within the walls of the hospitals and clinics where they spend so much time.

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CHANGEMAKERS Gina D. Wagner CHANGEMAKERS Gina D. Wagner

Changemaker in Rare: Becky Tilley

Learning that your child has a rare genetic disorder is a profound moment for any parent. But imagine finding out for the first time that you have the same disorder too. That was the scenario Becky Tilley faced the day she learned that she, her infant son, and her then-unborn baby all have Koolen-de Vries Syndrome.

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