Some people are comfortable with their appearance and may find a wig unnecessary. Others choose to wear wigs to improve self-image and increase self-confidence in social situations. The decision to wear a wig is, and should be, a personal choice. A child should not be forced to wear a wig. Providing the option to wear…
When Life throws you a Lemon, make Lemonade!
By Henry and Catherine Bourgin Twelve-year old Henry is affected by XLHED, as is his mom, Catherine. They live in McLean, VA. Henry would like to share his thoughts on having a lemonade stand with baked goods during summer break: “When I’m at the lemonade stand, we like to talk to each other and when other people come we’ll have conversations….
Pay it forward! Share the Light!
By Dee Dee Olsen I have led a most beautiful life. I have been graced by God with loving parents, devoted sisters, brothers-in-law, six incredible nieces and nephews, treasured friends and a husband who embodies strength, hard work and consideration. We brought three little people into this world. They breathed new dimensions of love and…
The Moment My Son Taught Me About Strength
By Seth Ferris I live in Brooklyn, New York. And during any given week, any given day, I come in contact with millions of people, some of whom are not too shy about telling a complete stranger what they think of them. You bump into somebody and get a “Hey! Watch it!” or worse. You…
Creating Connections of Hope and Comfort
By Rachel Buerman, NFED Liaison I am a pharmacist and my husband is a special education teacher with a license for both learning disabilities and emotional behavior disorders. For both of us it is important that we are comfortable reading, understanding and analyzing research articles and clinical trials that are published in professional journals. We…
Every Moment Has A Meaning
By Cory Jonak, Former Intern & Current Volunteer Throughout the course of our lives, we all will inevitably experience moments that have lasting impacts on us. While some of these moments are explicit and stand out, others can be more subtle and happen in an instant. However, no matter how small or big these moments,…
Ronan, Our Unborn "Celtic" Legend…What a Shock and a Joy!
By Dennis Claire, D.P.M., Father of Denny and soon to be Ronan Well before she was pregnant, my wife said, “If it’s a boy, he’ll be named Ronan.” Our first son, Denny, had a name which was predestined through generations of naming a son in the family Dennis. I didn’t want to break Irish tradition, and…
Overwhelmed With Love and Belonging!
By Terri Andrews I was born in a little rural area in Alabama in 1959. Not much was known about ectodermal dysplasia nor the type of ectodermal dysplasias I was born with called ectrodactyly-ectodermal dysplasia-clefting (EEC) syndrome. If I received any type of major treatment or surgery, I had to travel at least 100 miles, which was not…