Written by Rohan Narayanan on December 27, 2021
I’m as “normal” as anyone else. I look completely “normal” (besides being in an orthopedic brace), I act completely “normal,” and my life is completely “normal”. I have been married for 40 years and have two adult children and three grandchildren. I have worked with my husband in his private optometry practice for 20 years and help with the daily care of our 11-year-old grandson. My life is full, happy, active and busy – as “normal” as I may… Read More
Written by Rohan Narayanan on October 29, 2021
I have five rare disorders: Chiari malformation, intracranial hypertension, chronic Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), fibromyalgia, Hashimoto syndrome, along with a plethora of other illnesses. An infectious disease doctor once told me that I was a poster child for the medical field. However, my journey with rare disease began far before I was diagnosed in 2009.
Living with a rare disease makes you grateful for everything that most people take for granted. Four brain surgeries… Read More
Written by Rohan Narayanan on October 15, 2021
I was five years old, excitedly cheering on my mother at her softball game at City Park ball fields in Fort Collins, Colorado. She hit the ball and I jumped and cheered with the others in the bleachers. Then, my life changed. I slipped and fell through the bleachers…. Read More
Written by Rohan Narayanan on October 5, 2021
I have been diagnosed with a rare chronic genetic disease called partial trisomy 8Q duplication syndrome since birth and I was also recently diagnosed with hidradenitis suppurativa (HS). My life has been full of challenges, and I want to bring awareness to what I go through so that anyone… Read More
Written by Rohan Narayanan on September 30, 2021
I was diagnosed with peritoneal mesothelioma in 2007 as a 21-year-old new mother. When the doctor told me I had peritoneal mesothelioma, I didn’t know what it was. I was overwhelmed with shock and confusion with so many questions about this rare disease and how little information seemed available. Mostly, I felt alone. Feeling alone… Read More
