By Lisa Jonak My son Cory, was about 6 years old before he was officially diagnosed with ectodermal dysplasia during an NFED family conference in Collinsville, IL. Ironically, the NFED was basically located in our back yard. I did not realize how lucky we were to have this resource so close. They helped us find a…
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,…
A Little Step May Be the Beginning of a Great Journey!
By Jennifer Hagerty Have you ever thought about how you can make a difference to the NFED and the families they serve? As a NFED family liaison, I have thought about it many times. I am a busy mom who is going to school as well as taking care of my two young boys. Needless to…
Support Each Other: We are Family!
By Josh Long Why do we donate our time and money to the NFED? Because the NFED is family! Two years ago, we attended our first Family Conference in Orlando, Fla. through a very generous NFED scholarship. The conference was a life-changing event for our entire family. We had mom, dad, son, daughter, grandma and grandpa in attendance. …
Conference – Where You Can Always Come Home to Your NFED Family
This year’s Family Conference is a Homecoming, meaning a place where you can come home to your NFED family. You will find people who will welcome you with open arms. You can rekindle friendships made long ago. You’ll remember the fun had at previous Conferences and make new memories. Home is the soft place you…
We Were NOT Treated as Just a Number…We Were Treated as Valued Individuals.
By DeAnn Huxman As I anticipate the 2012 National Foundation for Ectodermal Dysplasias National Family Conference in Florida, I’m filled with excitement for the time together with this group, our other Family. My family attended our first national conference in Kansas City in 2005. We had been interested in attending previous years, but were concerned…
Conference Means Knowing My Son is Not Alone
by Jennifer Hagerty With the National Family Conference fast approaching, I find myself reflecting and thinking about how much fun it would be to attend. Joshua is almost four years old and already knows that he has ectodermal dysplasia/AEC syndrome. He does not quite understand it but he knows it makes strangers gawk, point, whisper,…
Managing Temperatures at Disney and Meeting Magical Friends
by Melva Jeter With the summer, comes the NFED annual Family Conference, this year in Orlando, Florida. Now, being from Colorado, I thought it was incredibly cool in 2010 when the conference was in Colorado Springs, but Orlando? And so close to Disney World, Universal Studios and Sea World? This is a kid’s dream-come-true year!…