Written by Valaree DonFrancesco on February 29, 2020

I suffer from neuromyelitis optica, or NMO disease (sister of MS, also known as Devic syndrome) and chronic pain. I experienced my first attack in the summer and now am in the thick of my second one (a relapse), and… Read More
Written by Valaree DonFrancesco on February 29, 2020
I was diagnosed with afibrinogenemia when I was just one day old. The day I was born my heel sticks would not stop bleeding, which immediately had the delivering doctor puzzled. I was then rushed to a different hospital, four… Read More
Written by Valaree DonFrancesco on February 29, 2020

I was diagnosed with primary immunodeficiency when I was four years old. With primary immunodeficiency, the assumption is that “it’s just an infection” or that it’s normal because “kids get sick.” The problem was that I was never getting better and… Read More
Written by Lisa Sencen on March 6, 2019

This year, NORD launched the #ShowYourStripes awareness campaign in time for Rare Disease Day (RDD) with a goal of increasing attention on rare diseases and engaging our community. Judging by the number of events, attendance at events, extensive media coverage, robust social media engagement and beyond, NORD is very proud… Read More
Written by Lisa Sencen on February 25, 2019
The following story was submitted by Katia Luedtke in honor of Rare Disease Day. In this story, Katia shares her family’s journey of searching for and receiving a diagnosis for their son, Connor, of Snyder-Robinson Syndrome (SRS).
Share your story for Rare Disease Day here.
Our… Read More