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By Joanna Mechlinski

No matter who you are or what your life is like, chances are you’ve longed to connect with someone who can understand you. Whether you’re passionate about a particular hobby or the parent of a certain-aged child, there is no feeling like the one you have with others who share your situation. Sure, your family and other friends may say they understand; and perhaps they really do. But the bond between two people undergoing similar circumstances is undeniably special. That’s why it’s so important for people with rare diseases – and their caregivers – to find support.

Even better, in today’s world you can find a group that suits your needs. If you prefer going out and meeting with people face to face, chances are, you can find that. If you prefer (or need) to stay home, or if there aren’t many members in your local area, you can find a group online. Now that the internet’s been in common use for a good 25 years, you can even have your pick of online groups – as with anything else in life, there are different variables that may make one group a better fit for a particular individual than another.

One important point to note: Take everything you read or hear in your support group with the proverbial grain of salt! While they can be a lifesaver, both emotionally and in terms of knowledge (you may learn about lesser known treatments or “hacks” through the experience of others) you should never take the things you learn as 100% without further research or speaking to your doctor.

So go out and connect with someone today!

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by Jenna Anne

Time is something that a parent of a medically complex child learns very quickly not to take for granted. The time spent waiting, praying, and preparing. The time that seems to tick endlessly slow or faster than you can blink.  Being a mother and raising these tiny humans there are great milestones to mark how they grow and change. They smile for the first time, sit, crawl and walk. They go off to school, make a new friend, score a goal or Dance on stage, they make their own breakfast and sometimes even yours! The barely thawed waffle and half a stick of butter turn into scrambled eggs and toast with jam. And at a point you look back and wonder what happened to bubble beards and a tub of toys? The big milestones are celebrated and marked in books but the small ones are the ones that etch your heart.

I've come to see managing this controlled chaos like a fine dining experience. The fancy wine cornette to pour the wine into your glass from, drinks infused with exotic fruits or the seemingly excessive required utensils that each serve a purpose to help you better experience the 6, 8,10 ...courses that remain. A lot of the time we are focused so much on the future that we all rush through to get to dessert!   Will it be sweet and savory, bold and flavorful or will we be too full and sip coffee instead. Therapy, after specialist, after doctor and it's easy to get lost in the "what's next". The rehab the therapies the monitoring and all everyone sees is that delicacy at the end of the meal. But what about your hors d'oeuvres? Your entrée ? These are things to savor as well.

Even when time is at its worst. In the thick of the deepest despair we need to remember to SAVOR it. Each morsel of life we have we need to cherish. We are still here. A baguette sword and china plate to shield we are ready at a moments notice eternally en garde. We carefully chew around the brittle bones of poor news and uncertainty and relish in each spoonful. If you're always waiting for the next course you will never truly appreciate and enjoy what is on your plate. Sure it may be exciting and wonderfully delicious or the maybe waitstaff will drop the tray and spoil your food. We can't predict what comes next. I have made it a point to really appreciate what is in front of me and teach my children to do the same. There's so much energy placed on "later" we hyper focus on these "goals" that we lose ourselves in the process of getting there. Life isn't about the destination it's about the journey. Don't focus so much on dessert that you don't savor what is on your plate. Live life with a banquet of options, add the hot sauce and try something new  à la carte,

Dessert is a tray away but for now I am savoring the most delicious spoon full my taste buds could ever imagine.

Bon Appétit

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By Joanna Mechlinski

The very idea of summer goes hand in hand with fun for most people. But unfortunately, as with any other time of year, the season poses some potentially serious health hazards – including ticks.

Most people understand that ticks cause Lyme disease. But the fact is, ticks are actually responsible for numerous other diseases, depending on the type of tick. Many of them are quite rare. One of them is Powassan virus, which causes encephalitis and meningitis. About 10% of those with the virus die; about 50% of survivors are left with permanent neurological damage. Other tick-borne diseases include Rocky Mountain spotted fever, which often presents with a rash and can lead to amputation of arms, legs, fingers or toes in serious cases due to blood vessel damage; Anaplasmosis, transmitted by the black-legged tick and leading to vague symptoms such as fever, chills, malaise and muscle aches, which may be easily confused with a variety of other diseases.

It’s even possible to succumb to a type of paralysis caused by a toxin in tick saliva. According to the CDC, tick paralysis generally strikes children or the elderly, starting in the lower body and moving upwards. While symptoms usually subside within 24 hours of tick removal, due to the way many symptoms can mimic other diseases, it can be difficult for medical professionals to realize that a tick is responsible in the first place. 

What’s more, the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) has found that climate change caused the number of causes to double between 2004 and 2016, especially in the Northeast and northern Midwest. (In fact, when also classified with diseases spread by mosquito and flea, the entire group of cases topped 640,000 – triple the number prior to 2004). But given that people travel, those who live outside the target areas should be just as vigilant.

So what can a person do? As with many other things in life, prevention is always best. It’s recommended that people spending time outdoors cover up, wear light colors, use repellant, conduct a thorough search of their bodies for ticks and once returning home.

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By Joanna Mechlinski

Nine-year-old Ellie McGinn has a rare genetic disorder called LBSL. (This acronym stands for Leukoencephalopathy with Brainstem and Spinal Cord Involvement and Lactate Elevation – whew!).

It affects her brain and spinal cord, causing the ability to walk, stand and coordinate movement to deteriorate over time. LBSL – which affects  approximately 100 people worldwide - has no cure and can be fatal.

At age three, Ellie was among the first LBSL patients to try an experimental mix of antioxidants and amino acids which has kept her disease from progressing.

Now, she’s the world’s first LBSL patient to use new remote technology that helps researchers at Kennedy Krieger Institute in Baltimore gather data about the disease in the hopes of developing new medications.

It would take Ellie and her family – who live in Arlington, VA – about an hour and a half to drive to Baltimore. As with many patients of rare or chronic diseases, pain and exhaustion take their toll, so a three-hour round trip to the clinic would be extremely difficult, especially when appointments are so frequent.

With remote or virtual testing, Ellie puts on movement sensors, then goes through a variety of tests as a team of researchers watch through video chat.

While virtual doctor’s visits are available to some patients in today’s world, ironically patients who might need them the most – those with serious or chronic disease - usually have to see their doctors in person, as virtual visits tend to be aimed toward those with non-emergency needs. The pros of expanding and developing the service, however, are huge. Just like Ellie, many chronic illness patients struggle with pain and exhaustion, so being able to avoid a lengthy ride to a doctor’s office or hospital is definitely beneficial. Many are also unable to drive, so appointments need to be scheduled around the availability of another person. Finally, there’s the fact that medical environments make a lot of people feel nervous. Home, on the other hand, is always where a person feels most comfortable, so they are likely to be more relaxed when answering a doctor’s questions or performing tests.

With patients like Ellie leading the way, we need to keep supporting the development of this technology. It can quite literally transform the lives of countless patients.

 https://www.webmd.com/brain/news/20180423/girl-with-rare-disease-races-time-via-virtual-tech

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April 2018

By Joanna Mechlinski

Although some people may still equate service dogs with people who are blind or visually impaired, the truth is these animals’ skills have really evolved in recent years!

While many people use the terms “service dog” and “therapy dog” interchangeably, that is actually far from accurate.

A service dog’s purpose is to help a specific person with an illness or disability do things they cannot do for themselves. For instance, a diabetic may use a dog to scent changes in blood that signify impending low or high blood sugar. The dog can alert the person that an event is coming, or another person for help, as well as fetch medication or even call 911. The most common breeds trained to be service dogs are Labrador retrievers, golden retrievers and German shepherds

Similarly, a dog can be taught to do a wide variety of tasks depending on the person’s needs. There are dogs for seizure or severe allergy alerts, for brace/mobility support, for wheelchair assistance, for autism assistance, for psychiatric needs (such as PTSD, anxiety or dementia) and more.  As there is no official list of service dog types, one could presumably be utilized for any purpose. These dogs can be trained to do anything from fetching or carrying items to performing tasks such as opening doors or turning on lights.

This type of animal is protected by the Americans with Disabilities Act, meaning that the individual may bring the dog into public places where animals are not typically permitted, such as restaurants and stores.

In comparison, a therapy dog – also known as a comfort or emotional support dog - is not allowed everywhere a service dog is. This dog is not responsible for actual tasks. Rather, he or she serves as comfort to individuals undergoing stressful or traumatic situations. It’s common to see therapy dogs in schools, hospitals or nursing homes. This type of dog works with many people. Any dog may become a therapy dog.

Thinking of getting a dog to help you or a loved one? The ADA website is a great place to get some basic info:  https://www.ada.gov/regs2010/service_animal_qa.html

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By Joanna Mechlinski

The challenges of an ordinary day can be difficult enough for those with a chronic illness or disability to navigate, let alone one where there’s an emergency or disaster. Unfortunately, due to the times we live in, individuals with special physical, medical, sensory or cognitive needs must plan ahead to the best of their ability, anticipating what may happen in the event of a sudden evacuation or other emergency.

The American Red Cross recommends that each person with special needs create a personal support network or self-help team. This should include individuals from your home, school, work or other places where you spend a significant amount of time. These helpers should be people familiar with your needs and abilities, who would be able to help you both escape an emergency situation and in dealing with its aftermath. Red Cross recommends a minimum of three people in your network, in the event that someone is not available when needed. Decide on a place where you will meet.

There should also be an out-of-town contact, as it is often easier to call someone long distance versus locally after an emergency or disaster. It is recommended that individuals text if at all possible, so they do not tie up phone lines for emergency personnel.

To document all your contacts, as well as relevant information such as food/drug allergies and medications, FEMA offers wonderfully concise forms  for individuals to download:  https://www.fema.gov/media-library/assets/documents/34330  There are versions for both adults and children. Red Cross also has a downloadable emergency contact form for the wallet or purse:  http://www.redcross.org/images/MEDIA_CustomProductCatalog/m4240194_ECCard.pdf

 It is recommended that individuals review their information every six months.

The person should then create a personal assessment, based upon the lowest anticipated level of functioning. For example, do you need help with personal care or grooming? If you use equipment that requires electricity, such as a power wheelchair, what will you do if it’s not possible to use it? Can you purchase an extra battery, or is there a lightweight manual chair you can store as backup? Or, if you need an elevator to leave a building, is there someone who can help you down the stairs?

If you are vision impaired, deaf or hard of hearing, who will convey emergency information to you if you are unable to use the TV, radio or phone? In addition, this person should be able to communicate with first responders on your behalf.  Consider keeping pre-printed phrases or a word board if you feel you might benefit from them.

If you use a service animal, what will his or her needs be? Keep your animal’s medical information on hand, as well as any documentation certifying that he or she is indeed a service animal.

These questions and many others are imperative to your safety and well-being in case of emergency.

Many communities have programs with which a special needs individual can register beforehand. That way, emergency personnel will be able to put a priority on reaching you. Reach out to your local police or fire departmentl to find out if your area has one.

Of course it isn’t possible to plan ahead for every conceivable scenario that might occur. But that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t make as many preparations as you can! While none of us can avoid danger or disaster, at the very least we can give ourselves some peace of mind in being as prepared to fight it as we can.

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By Joanna Mechlinski

February marks a special anniversary for the rare disease community – it’s a decade since the first Rare Disease Day was celebrated. Held annually on the last day of February, the event kickoff was especially significant in 2008, as that was a leap year – a relatively rare occurrence.

This year’s observance will take place on February 28, but it won’t be any less monumental. Special events will be held in communities all over the world, including guest speakers, benefits and virtual events. The National Organization for Rare Disorders (NORD) launched the 7,000 Mile Rare Movement on February 1, challenging Americans to collectively walk, run or bike 7,000 miles throughout the month – in honor of the 7,000 rare diseases that some 30 million Americans and 300 million people worldwide are living with. All activities focus upon this year’s theme – a continuation from 2017 – of research. To date, there are some 300 million people worldwide living with one or more of someover 6,000 rare diseases. There is often little or no medication or treatments for their conditions, so patients and their families must often advocate for their own needs. This not only includes trying to convince researchers to embark on new studies, but also providing information for their specific disease organizations’ patient databases.

During the weeks leading up, those in the rare disease community are encouraged to help promote awareness – both for the general public and for lawmakers . Another major component of the campaign is to help patients and caregivers remember they are not alone. The internet plays a large part, with Twitter hashtags such as #ShowYourRare, #MyRare, #RareDiseases and #RareDiseaseDay helping join the community as members share their personal experiences. #ShowYourRare is the inspiration behind this year’s poster and logo, as patients are encouraged to paint their faces with the rare disease logo and post selfies on their social media. 

To see what Rare New England is doing to commemorate Rare Disease Day, go to http://www.rarenewengland.org/Rare-Disease-Day-2018.html

For more information about Rare Disease Day in general or to find local events, go to www.rarediseaseday.org or to “rarediseaseday” on both Twitter and Facebook.

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By Joanna Mechlinski

January 2018

When a loved one lives with a rare disease, it's easy to get caught up in his or her needs. After all, a person living with a serious disease or disorder may require countless hours for doctor's or hospital visits, medication or treatments, and assistance with day-to-day tasks from household chores to personal hygiene. The caregiver may also become involved with advocacy for the patient's needs or recognition of the disease itself, be it among policymakers or insurance companies. Your family member or friend's needs may become all-encompassing, both physically and mentally. That's why, with the start of a new year, it's important for caregivers to resolve to focus on themselves, too.

According to the National Alliance for Caregiving, some 30 million Americans live with a rare disease or condition. Many receive unpaid care from family or friends – often as many as 20 hours per week, in addition to their outside jobs. These caregivers are tasked with not only the person's physical needs but also emotional, as there may be difficulty with finances, in obtaining medication or adequate medical care. For some, their disease's symptoms may be unpredictable and the longterm outcome may be uncertain.

The Caregiver Action Network stresses the importance of accepting help from others. In giving yourself time away, you will maintain your physical and emotional wellbeing, so that you will ultimately be better able to care for your loved one. Don't be afraid to reach out to others, even for a few hours or a specific task. Seeking respite is not a sign of weakness! In addition, CAN emphasizes networking with other caregivers. Not only is it a chance to vent and share ideas with others who have similar challenges, it's important to remember that there are many others just like you.

To connect with others and find more tips on caregiving, you can Google disease-specific organizations or check out sites like National Organization for Rare Disorders (NORD) at rarediseases.org, Caregiver Action Network (CAN) at rarecaregivers.org or caregiveraction.org

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By Joanna Mechlinski

You’re a person living with a rare disease or disorder, chronic and potentially life-threatening. You desperately need medication to maintain your quality of life. But perhaps your disease is so rare that there is little incentive for a pharmaceutical company – which is, after all, for-profit – to invest the time and money into developing a drug.

That’s where the Orphan Drug Tax Credit comes in. Since 1983, the U.S. has offered pharmaceutical companies reimbursement on 50% of clinical testing costs, giving pharmaceutical companies an incentive to experiment with new medications for rare diseases, which are defined in the U.S. as any that affect fewer than 200,000 people. (In Europe, it is one that affects fewer than 1 in 2000 people.) In the years since the credit’s inception, the Food & Drug Administration (FDA) has approved nearly 600 orphan drugs. Comparatively, between 1973 and 1983, only 10 drugs were approved.

There are an estimated 7,000 rare diseases – often called “orphans” due to pharmaceutical companies’ reluctance to adopt them - affecting 25-30 million Americans.

In early November, House Republicans proposed eliminating this credit. After considerable negotiation, it was decided to keep the credit but lower it to 27.5%. What’s more, a past provision that had been scrapped – giving the credit to a company that repurposed an existing drug as an orphan – was restored.

According to an October report by health research company QuintilesIMS and the National Organization for Rare Disorders (NORD), orphan drugs comprised 7.9 percent of the total U.S. drug sales in 2016. While that percentage doesn’t seem like a lot, it is when one considers that Quintiles estimates Americans will spend $580-610 billion on prescription medications by 2021 (the United States constitutes some 40 percent of the global pharmaceutical industry). Patients’ spending increased 5.8 percent between 2015 and 2016 alone.

At this moment, it’s still unclear what the future will hold for the Orphan Drug Tax Credit. Thus, it’s important to join the fight while we still can. Contact Congress to share your story, or contact a patient organization for your disease or disorder – over 200 have expressed their support for maintaining the credit. Each of us may just be one person, but together, we can influence our future.

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By Joanna Mechlinski

Unless you've been living under the proverbial rock, you'll have noticed there's a lot in the news about healthcare lately. Politicians argue daily about this or that plan; the average citizens simply worry about their needs being met. What happens if you have a serious condition and can't get the doctors or medications you need to survive? Living with chronic illness is scary enough without adding monetary fears to the mix.

Unfortunately, a lot of healthcare cuts are made without looking at real people. Someone at the top is tasked with saving money; he or she then looks at the big picture. Chances are, they have never had to struggle with serious illness, either personally or with a loved one. Thus it's much easier to look at things theoretically – at how they “should” be. Yet as we all know, things rarely work out the way we think they might. Life is simply full of too many obstacles and variables. Medications that “should” work for a particular illness sometimes do not; other times, unexpected secondary complications may develop. An insurance company guideline that sounds good on paper may not make as much sense in practice.

For this reason, it's crucial that we all share our stories. We need to put faces to rare diseases. We need to show the world just what a real person has to go through – not just the symptoms of the disease itself, but also with bureaucracy in the fight for basic existence. It’s just not right.

If calling or writing letters to politicians sounds too daunting, there’s still a lot you can do. Social media is a wonderful tool for spreading awareness – you can join existing campaigns, or start your own. Even posting pictures or facts with the appropriate hashtags can be a huge help. We’ve seen proof via viral campaigns like the ice bucket challenge, raising awareness for ALS, that social media can truly have an impact.

What’s the point? you may wonder. What do the Powers That Be really care about one little person…if my voice even makes it to them?

There’s a great quote by the Japanese writer Ryunosuke Satoro: “Individually we are one drop. Together we are an ocean.” There is really no other way to put it. Each of us may feel insignificant in the fight against something so enormous as healthcare reform; but put all our voices together and we’re a force to be reckoned with.

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Written by Mary-Frances Garber, MS, CGC

Perhaps you are just learning that you or your child has a rare disease; you may feel shocked, sad, scared, angry, overwhelmed or all of the above.  It is not uncommon to experience a range of emotions after receiving a genetic diagnosis. Sometimes, even guilt is an emotion that is experienced, as a rare disease can be inherited.  It is important to remember that our genes and the mutations that we carry are not determined by anything we do or fail to do.  These mutations for the most part are random and spontaneous.

Having been a genetic counselor for over two decades, I understand what receiving a genetic diagnosis can be like for a family.  I never want my patients to feel alone or not supported.  As a genetic counselor, I now focus on providing a listening ear through supportive genetic counseling.

Living with an unpredictable genetic condition takes patience, perseverance, and courage.  Parents sometimes speak about the “new normal”, referring to their life after the diagnosis.  It is not uncommon to wish you could go back, to the old normal, before the diagnosis.  By becoming educated about the condition, talking with others in a similar situation and with proper emotional support you can and will adjust.  Adjustment takes time, allow yourself this time.

Sometimes when you feel you have adjusted and life is going along just fine, a new health issue presents itself and the cycle begins again.  Take time, give yourself time to talk about your worries, your exhaustion, address your need for support.  Many of you are becoming experts regarding the rare disease diagnosis in your family, some of you are just learning.  Others of you have become patient advocates, fundraisers and cheerleaders, but, remember to take time out to express your feelings.  You deserve it.

Lastly, fear of the future is understandable.  Try to stay in the present, remembering that your medical team will be there for you when challenges arise. 

Below are a few helpful hints for you to consider:

1.      Use RARE New England as a community and supportive environment

2.      Journal when you need to get your feelings out and there is no one available

3.      Talk with others who have a similar condition about their life experience

4.      Find a professional counselor if you need extra support

Mary-Frances Garber is a board certified, licensed genetic counselor who earned her B.S. in Molecular Genetics from the University of Rochester and her M.S. in Human Genetics from Sarah Lawrence College. Having worked for 11 years in a high-risk obstetrical setting in the Antenatal Diagnostic Center at Brigham and Women's Hospital, she gained extensive counseling experience. She has worked with many families having various genetic, chromosomal or developmental conditions. She is now in private practice focusing on patients with concerns surrounding compromised pregnancy outcomes, a recent diagnosis of a birth defect or genetic condition, and those in the process of obtaining a diagnosis for their child.

Mary-Frances Garber, MS, CGC
   Licensed Genetic Counselor

    Listening, Reflecting, Healing
     Supportive Genetic Counseling
    Needham, Massachusetts 
 781-366-5300
   mfgcgc@yahoo.com

www.listeningreflectinghealing.com

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Joanna Mechlinski

Despite all the bad things in the world that we hear about each day, one thing still seems pretty clear. Most individual people truly do want to say and do the right things. However, even with the best of intentions, it’s far too easy to hurt someone’s feelings, often without realizing it.

Ableism is discrimination or prejudice toward people with physical, mental or developmental disabilities. It can take more obvious forms, such as an employer not wanting to hire a qualified person simply because of a chronic illness or disability. But in many cases, ableism is very subtle, especially in speech. Many words are such an ingrained part of our language that we never even think about what they truly imply. Chances are, the person making a comment has no idea that what they’re saying is hurtful.

Certainly, by 2017, most people understand why they shouldn’t use the word “retarded” or “cripple”. But how many demonstrate the same caution with “crazy” or “insane”? Those two words are often tossed around to describe someone acting in a way the speaker finds unusual. Yet to a listener with mental illness, they might be extremely demeaning. The same holds true for words such as “spaz” (belittling a person with spastic limbs) or “lame” (making light of a person with mobility issues).

Other terms refer to stereotypes or reflect attitudes that may not necessarily be true. For example, in the past it was often said that a person was “wheelchair bound.” But as individuals who use wheelchairs tend to view them as a means of independence, not confinement, it is considered better to say “uses a wheelchair.”

There are some who are reading this and inwardly sighing, wondering what the big deal is. It’s only words, right? Why are people being so sensitive? But as we’ve all experienced at some point in our lives, words do carry enormous power. A physical assault will fade within days or weeks; but those on the receiving end of a callous remark may feel its pain years later. Why risk hurting another person unnecessarily? Language is  so rich and constantly evolving! There are a myriad of words to be used in any given situation. If there’s any question at all, just substitute another word.

Most importantly, remember that we are all individuals. Where one person takes offense or express a specific preference, another may not mind either way.  If you have any doubts about what is appropriate or acceptable, just ask! Most people will appreciate the inquiry, as it highlights a genuine concern about the individual and a desire to make things right.

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by Joanna Mechlinski

While having to live with a rare disease is difficult at any age, there are special challenges when you’re a child. Most kids will moan about various aspects of school, but rarely is there any real question about their ability to get through them. Unfortunately, that's not always the case for children who are living with a rare disease, which may impact them physically and/or mentally.

Thankfully, there are IEPs and 504 plans to help students navigate the educational system as smoothly as possible.

An IEP – or Individualized Educational Plan – is a document developed for each public school child determined to have a disability. The IEP details the student’s individual learning style and how the student best demonstrates what has been learned. The overall goal is for the student to remain involved in regular academics and school activities as much as possible, with special assistance only provided when absolutely necessary. A team (which includes both school staff and parents) develops goals for the student, revisiting them annually to assess whether they need to be adjusted.

Some common accommodations can include extended time on tests and assignments, preferential seating in the classroom, adapted textbooks or materials, assistive technology (such as a voice-output for communication or a Braille reader), a one-on-one aide, specialized transportation or modified meals.

A 504 plan – or Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 -  is for students with physical or emotional disabilities which impact their ability to conduct major life tasks in areas such as vision, hearing or walking. Goals are not usually set.

Although both an IEP and 504 plan may seem similar at first glance, the latter protects many students that the former does not identify as having a disability, as its definition is broader. It also extends to life outside the school day, e.g. extracurricular activities.

Of course, resources may vary throughout the country. Each state has a Parent Training and Information Center which can help parents learn about specific services and policies in their area; the Center for Parent Information and Resources (CPIR) oversees them all. To find your state’s center, go to http://www.parentcenterhub.org/find-your-center/

Feeling confused and overwhelmed by all the jargon and details? You might want to check out the New England Genetics Collaborative (NEGC)'s Genetics Education Materials for School Success (GEMSS). The goal of this group of specialists is to promote awareness and education about genetic conditions. Their site includes a great breakdown comparison of IEPs and 504 plans, as well as individualized family service plans (IFSPs), which are used for children under age three., here:
https://www.gemssforschools.org/faq-instructions/ifsp-iep-504

Another wonderful resource for parents is Global Genes' “Advocating for Child with a Rare Disease at Their School” toolkit. This nonprofit patient advocacy organization produces a wide variety of resources detailing the many aspects of living with a rare disease, from childhood to adulthood. To get started, go here: https://globalgenes.org/toolkits/educationadvocacy/intro/

If you believe adaptations or modifications might help your child be more successful in school, please don't hesitate in speaking to school staff or your pediatrician! All of these professionals are on the same team – making sure your child makes the most of his or her school years.

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Chronic Illness and Energy Limits: Helping others understand

By Joanna Mechlinski

                                               June 1, 2017

The average person doesn’t usually think about the amount of energy it takes to do basic things. Essential tasks such as taking a shower, preparing a meal or running an errand are so ingrained in our everyday lives that we simply do them, like breathing.

Yet when a person lives with a chronic illness, no longer can anything we taken for granted. Due to ever-present pain and exhaustion, the amount of energy you have each day is limited. Some days, thanks to flare ups – or overextending yourself the day before - that precious amount can be curbed even further. Suddenly all the things you once did easily require a great deal of planning and thought. What if you simply run out of energy before you’ve completed everything that needs doing? If you can’t delegate, then you need to prioritize.

How on earth do you make a healthy person understand this unusual way of life? Sure, you can try to explain how you feel and the kinds of choices you are forced to make each day. But while your audience may nod, saying they understand – and maybe even truly believe they understand – the truth is that no one does, not unless they live that way themselves. But what kind of metaphor can convey your reality?

The “spoon theory” was born in 2003, when Christine Miserandino wrote an essay for her website ButYouDontLookSick.com.  She recalled trying to explain life with lupus to a friend. As the two were sitting in a diner, Miserandino was inspired to use spoons in an impromptu metaphor. She held out twelve spoons, explaining to her friend that each one represented a unit of energy. Each daily task required at least one spoon, if not two or more. Once the daily allotment of silverware was used, that was it. There is no magical “store” to pick up additional spoons. And if you attempt to “borrow” spoons from the next day, that means you will be that many short come tomorrow for the next round of tasks.

By putting the situation in a simple yet more tangible example, Miserandino was able to make her friend better understand the challenges of those living with chronic illness. Suddenly the array of spoons in her hands – more than any one person would typically need for the usual purpose – seemed stark and limited. Now it was more clear why a person living with chronic illness might have to take a nap in the middle of the day or turn down a social outing. Yes, even fun things like meeting a friend for lunch or going to see a movie use up spoons! There's the stress – both physical and mental – of actually traveling to the location. Then, depending upon the particular person, there can be the stress of navigating through crowds, sitting amidst noise, climbing stairs, having to sit for too long and a myriad of other things that the average healthy person wouldn't even think about. Unfortunately, a “spoonie” doesn't have that luxury.

But ironically enough, it isn't just the healthy who can benefit from the spoon theory. We who are living with finite energy can be aided by this very simple and tangible reminder not to try overextending ourselves, that our resources are more limited than we might want or need them to be. Even those of us who have been living in this mindset for years – or perhaps all our lives – can forget when things need getting done.

With all this in mind, you'll never look at a spoon in the same way again, will you?

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By Joanna Mechlinski

Those of us with a chronic illness or disabilities are essentially just like everyone else.

That should go without saying in 2017. But sadly, there are many people who still do need educating.

This is the reason that many have pushed for changes in language that describes chronic illness or disability. Many of the differences may appear subtle but are truly significant. When speaking about a person with mobility impairment, for example, many are accustomed to describing him or her as a “handicapped person.” Today, however, the emphasis is on the person first…a disability is what someone has, not is. Furthermore, it's simply one of the many things that make up his or her life. People living with a chronic illness or disability have hopes and dreams, pet peeves, a particular sense of humor, talents and things they aren't so good at. Guess what? That's basically the definition of every human being who's ever lived.

It’s suggested that a better way of speaking is “person who uses a wheelchair” You should also refrain from outdated terminology such as “wheelchair-bound,” as wheelchair users tend to view their chairs as a vehicle for independence, not confinement.

Don’t paint someone with a chronic illness or a disability as a victim. People use canes or have lupus; they aren’t “stricken” or “afflicted” by them.

On the other hand, don’t lavish praise on someone simply because he or she completed a normal everyday task. Individuals with chronic illness or disabilities aren’t “inspirational” or “heroic,” just doing their best to live ordinary lives like everyone else. To describe that as anything else often comes across as patronizing or condescending.

This is the time of year for high school proms; and with that, the inevitable media coverage about someone asking a student with a chronic illness or disability to be his or her date. No one would even dream of writing an article about a prom-goer raised by a single mother or attending the school because of a financial aid scholarship. So why is it suddenly newsworthy when someone has Down's syndrome or uses a wheelchair?

No doubt some of you reading this are rolling your eyes and mentally sighing by now. “What's the difference?” you're wondering. “It's only words.” Yes, that's true to an extent. But as you might also realize, “only” words carry a huge power. Depending on how they are used, words can influence society's entire perception of a person or thing. Right or wrong, once certain words become commonplace, they begin to have a life of their own.

Furthermore, language in general is constantly evolving. Our world, our needs and our mindsets are always changing, so the words that we use as tools to describe them do as well. As a journalist, I have always been fascinated by linguistics. I love to read about the origins of particular words, to research the literal meanings of well-worn idioms, and to hunt for new words that more precisely fit the ideas I'm trying to convey. Why should words that pertain to illness and disability be any different?

Bottom line, everyone is an individual with different thoughts and life experiences. Just because an organization says that a particular word or phrase is best doesn’t mean that every person agrees. For instance, the phrase “differently-abled” popped up in the 1980s. The idea was to focus upon the positive rather than the negative that the person is able to do most of the things that the average person in their society does, but perhaps goes about it a little differently. Personally, I have never used the phrase. To me, it's overly euphemistic. It also seems to imply that because of living with chronic illness, I might have been gifted some sort of extraordinary ability the typical person doesn't have, such as flight or x-ray vision.

If you have any doubts or questions, simply ask the person what he or she prefers. You might feel shy or awkward about bringing up the subject; but just remember that avoiding it doesn’t mean it doesn’t exist. It’s always best to get things out in the open and talk about them. Most individuals will be glad you are making an effort! Treating one another with respect is really what it's all about.

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 By Joanna Mechlinski

Having a rare disease is hard work. There’s the obvious burden of the actual symptoms, of course. But there’s also the unexpected angle of becoming an unofficial ambassador for your disease. When I was first diagnosed with polymyositis, an autoimmune disease that causes atrophy of the proximal muscles, I had never heard of it myself. Given the fact that it only affects about 1 out of 100,000, that was hardly surprising. So it stood to reason that my family and friends hadn’t, either. But of course, unlike them, it was something I was forced to learn about, and in a hurry.

That’s why it’s so important to use all the internet resources available to us. As I have said to numerous friends, if I had to have a life-altering illness, I am so very thankful that it’s during the 21^st century. Not only do you have easy access to all sorts of medical information, from hospitals to prescription side effects, but you can also connect with other people in similar situations. Even fifty years ago, the odds of meeting more than a couple of those “1 out of 100,000” others diagnosed with polymyositis would have been slim. But today, thanks to social media, blogs, forums and more, you can share information with people around the world.

A small wave of anxiety washes over me whenever I step foot out of my own home. Even if it’s a beautiful sunny day to the rest of the world, my personal landscape is covered with invisible snow piles and sheets of ice. Normally, it would take just a few moments to walk from my front door to the car, but with the added obstacles it takes considerably longer. Gingerly, I keep placing one foot in front of the other; taking one careful step at a time, praying all the while that I won’t stumble.  If I do fall, I lack the muscle strength to right myself unassisted.

Very few people could truly understand what it’s like to live this way, every day, for decades. Even more disheartening, I look perfectly average at a glance. As many people with various rare diseases know all too well, it’s truly frustrating to make others fully comprehend your struggles when they are largely invisible to them. For some reason, if you walk with a cane or use a wheelchair, society at large seems to accept the fact that you might need some help. But if it’s hidden inside? Then you’re fine, of course; or, at best, you might have a few struggles, but certainly you’re exaggerating their extent.

Sure, I get upset whenever I encounter this sort of thing. Who wouldn't? But again, that's where I turn to the internet. I can vent with my rare disease friends, I can search the news to see if any new developments are in the works. And - the most important part of the cyber world to me - is that anyone can help spread awareness. Just because there aren't many Google hits about your particular rare disease doesn't mean it has to stay that way! Your voice is so important and necessary in helping educate others. Tell your story...all of us have a story that is worth telling. Who knows? Maybe some small detail you share will resound deep within another person's soul, giving them the emotional support they need to keep moving forward. Or maybe it will be the one clue that helps a doctor or researcher finally put the pieces together to develop a life-altering new treatment or medication.

Above all, take heart in the endless possibilities the internet holds and represents for rare disease.

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