Real Stories
From prenatal uncertainty and postpartum anxiety to therapy, grief, and hope, a mother shares her experience raising a child with a rare disease, navigating the healthcare system, finding community, and learning to embrace a different—but deeply meaningful—path as a parent.
Lucky Shanmugan was recently featured in Porter Ranch Living, his local magazine, for Father’s Day: in his interview, Lucky talks about Osteogenesis Imperfecta, a rare genetic or heritable disorder of the connective tissue, and the incredible journey towards his official diagnosis.
A family’s hardships and resilience in finding answers and getting a diagnosis for their child, after numerous tests, brain biopsies, and hospitalizations. And the relief but also grief in finally putting a name to the rare disease that affects their child: BCL11B-related disorder.
A heartfelt story about a mother who found purpose and strength among the tragedy of losing a child diagnosed with an ultra rare genetic disorder.
A prose poem by Jim Kuhn, a rare warrior living with Sarcoidosis, a rare inflammatory disease.
Four years ago, Michael Grivas’ life suddenly changed when he learned that he had Brugada Syndrome, a genetic disorder in which the electrical activity of the heart is abnormal due to channelopathy. Learn more about his story.
After 14 years of misdiagnosis and debilitating illness labeled as Lyme disease, a mother uncovers the truth—her daughter had aggressive multiple sclerosis (MS). Told through the lens of a fierce advocate and cancer survivor, this emotional account highlights the life-changing impact of finding the right doctor and fighting for those you love when they can’t fight for themselves.
Sierra Domb is a neuroscience research collaborator and health communicator living with erythromelalgia, a rare neurovascular peripheral pain disorder. She shares her diagnostic journey and provides tips for managing symptoms and developing resilience in the face of rare disease.
A powerful personal journey through Koolen-de Vries syndrome, ADHD, and neurodivergent parenting. Discover how one mother turned diagnosis into empowerment, embracing difference, healing guilt, and raising resilient, remarkable children in a world that doesn’t always understand.
Toni Roberts lives with Epidermolysis Bullosa, a rare genetic disorder that causes the skin to be extremely fragile and prone to blistering and tearing. Toni’s condition profoundly impacted her older sister, Cady Ward. Witnessing Toni’s daily struggles and challenges, Cady was inspired to become an advocate for rare disease and take on an extraordinary challenge—run an ultra-marathon.
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.
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.
Know Rare writer Gina DeMillo Wagner’s new memoir, Forces of Nature explores powerful themes related to caregiving and rare disease.
Journalist Lindsay Guentzel offers an inside look at life with the rare muscular condition.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Storytelling is a powerful way to process adversity and make a difference in someone else's life.
Know Rare is thrilled to be partnering with Chris Anselmo, author of “Hello, Adversity,” as he becomes a regular contributor to our platform.
The bittersweet and unpredictable chain of events that made Donna Rae Menard a believer in the clinical trial process.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.