Rylae-Ann, my daughter, was born with aromatic l-amino acid decarboxylase (AADC) deficiency, an ultra-rare neurotransmitter disorder that disrupts the production of dopamine and serotonin. Before she received life-changing gene therapy at 18 months old, even basic developmental milestones felt like mountains. Since gene therapy, she’s made amazing…
When our daughter, Rylae-Ann, was diagnosed with aromatic l-amino acid decarboxylase (AADC) deficiency, my wife, Judy, and I stepped into a world few people know about. This rare genetic condition affects the brain’s ability to produce essential neurotransmitters, leaving children with severe motor, developmental, and autonomic challenges.
Parenting a child with a rare disease often means celebrating daily triumphs and overcoming unexpected hurdles. For my wife, Judy, and me, our daughter Rylae-Ann’s journey with aromatic l-amino acid decarboxylase (AADC) deficiency has taught us that even simple milestones can bring surprises. Recently, Rylae-Ann began…
As parents of a child with aromatic l-amino acid decarboxylase (AADC) deficiency, travel has always required strategic planning and careful accommodations. From the earliest days of our daughter Rylae-Ann’s diagnosis at just 8 months old, my wife, Judy, and I learned to navigate the world differently. Every…
It was bound to happen. After six years of dodging it, our daughter, Rylae-Ann, finally caught COVID-19. For my wife, Judy, and me, this triggered a rush of emotions, including fear, worry, and, ultimately, gratitude. Rylae-Ann isn’t like most kids. At just 8 months old, she was diagnosed with…
I’ve always struggled to find the right words for what I’m about to describe. Maybe it’s because it feels too vulnerable, or maybe I haven’t fully unpacked the emotions. But as another school year comes to a close, with all the celebration, the final curtain calls, and the proud goals…
When our daughter, Rylae-Ann, was diagnosed with aromatic l-amino acid decarboxylase (AADC) deficiency, my wife, Judy, and I were overwhelmed and unsure where to begin. Initially, our primary concern was survival. After she received gene therapy at 8 months old, we could finally ask the next big question: How…
My daughter, Rylae-Ann, is a beautiful, bright little girl with a rare genetic condition called aromatic l-amino acid decarboxylase (AADC) deficiency. If you’ve never heard of it, you’re not alone. Most doctors haven’t, either. It’s a condition that affects the production of the neurotransmitters…
During a recent visit from another parent whose child has aromatic L-amino acid decarboxylase (AADC) deficiency, a small comment made my wife, Judy, and I pause. “Your house looks like a kid’s gym!” she said with a laugh. We looked around, and she was right. Soft blocks…
With just two weeks left in the school year, my wife, Judy, and I find ourselves reflecting deeply on how far our daughter, Rylae-Ann, has come. It feels like just yesterday we were coaxing her through tearful goodbyes at the classroom door, navigating the daily challenge of separation anxiety and…
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