At 13, Aidan Abbott is already getting to be a pro when it comes to advocating for ectodermal dysplasias on Capitol Hill. The Wisconsin teen built his confidence by telling lawmakers about the rare condition that affects him and thousands of others: ectodermal dysplasias. He and his family will be joining the National Foundation for Ectodermal Dysplasias (NFED) on July 18 for Ectodermal Dysplasias Advocacy Day on Capitol Hill. Aidan lists his 10 ten reasons why every kid with ectodermal dysplasias should come advocate with him.
Returning to Capitol Hill
We’re going back! To Capitol Hill for our 2nd Ectodermal Dysplasias Advocacy Day. We invite the ectodermal dysplasias community to join us July 17-18 in Washington D.C. Our goal is to ask Congress to support a bill (to be announced soon) that will provide insurance benefits for dental care of ectodermal dysplasias.
Endless Questions and No Experience
Kerri Fasulo had a long list of questions when her young daughter was diagnosed with a rare condition. She had no experiences to help her find her way through what lay ahead. Soon, she found the resource that made her realize she was not alone.
Show Us Your Super Smile
You can join families around the world in celebrating Ectodermal Dysplasias Awareness Month and Rare Disease Day. Use our easy tools to share your story and advocate for super smiles. Teeth are not cosmetic! Post our flyers. Share your story. Host a Facebook fundraiser. Attend a Rare Disease Advocacy Event.
Why We Must Keep Fighting
The Abbott family’s journey to new teeth for their son, Aidan, has not been an easy one. They have had to fight their insurance company every step of the way for years. Find out why his mom thinks it worth it and why every family must fight, too!
NFED Was A Bridge Between My Two Worlds
I was born with x-linked hypohidrotic ectodermal dysplasia (XLHED) because of a random mutation. The NFED was a bridge between the two worlds I felt I lived in: one where I could pass as someone who looked unaffected and the one where I knew the issues I faced as a person affected by XLHED. Once I got married and started talking about wanting children was when I began volunteering with the National Foundation for Ectodermal Dysplasias (NFED). I will not give up volunteering with the NFED until we find coverage for my son, Liam’s, teeth and the many others affected by missing teeth.
NFED Family Conference Sponsor and Program Ads
Each year, we hold our Family Conference to provide life-changing experiences for our NFED families. Annually, 300 to 400 people from all over the world and the U.S. get to experience that they are no longer alone, that they feel connected and that they finally get to have the experience of talking to doctors who…
My Life as Nurse, Mom and Advocate
In all her years as a PICU nurse, Amy Leverenz had never heard of ectodermal dysplasia until the day her daughter was diagnosed with the rare condition. She found the National Foundation for Ectodermal Dysplasias, educated her self and is now educating physicians and legislators. She’s on a mission to impact the lives of other families like hers for the better.