Somewhere between rare disease, chronic conditions, complex medical, disability and invisible illness is the sobering realization that no matter how many people might love and care about you – the journey of living this life can be isolating, uncertain and overwhelming.
As the mother of three kids living with medical complexity, my family spent a ridiculous amount of time in doctors’ appointments and hospitals, in meeting after meeting with teachers and schools. Don’t even get me started on the insane level of emails, phone calls, messages and insurance forms. Far too many people endure this unfortunate reality. But, with only 24 hours in a day, they must also maintain employment and activities of daily living in whatever form that takes. Some days even a simple trip to the grocery store would break me.
ElevateRARE is a campaign to call for reform and better protection of rare disease families.
Rare disease, chronically ill, and medically-complex patients continue to face surprising obstacles as they navigate to find care in our highly specialized and broken health system that is not meeting their needs. Medical misdiagnosis and PTSD in medical settings is a rising and unfortunate outcome that can cause harm for patients and healthcare providers alike. There is simply not enough awareness of the problem, or resources available to address the physical and emotional burdens that can accompany long diagnostic oddysseys and difficult medical journeys.
Amplifying the voices of patients, advocates, physicians, healthcare workers and all who strive to help heal our healthcare system.
Patients, caregivers, physicians and healthcare providers with supporting information, programs and identified resources to help navigate “tough touch points” with a goal of improving safety and wellbeing for all.
Legislative efforts to protect children with rare disease and/or complicated medical conditions and their families are in the works throughout the US.
Links to press on rare disease, complicated medical conditions, safety, PTSD, misdiagnosis and more