For our family, the Chinese New Year has always been more than just a date on the calendar. It’s a reminder for us to pause, reflect, clear out the clutter — both literal and emotional — and move forward with hope. My wife, Judy, is from Taiwan, so these…
The Journey of Beautiful Destinations – a Column by Richard E. Poulin III
My wife, Judy, and I have always been a competitive couple. Backgammon? Intense. Canasta? Ruthless. Ping-Pong? Fast-paced! Trash talk was common, laughter was loud, and someone usually demanded a rematch. Naturally, when our daughter, Rylae-Ann, was born, we assumed she’d be drafted straight into family game night. Then life dealt…
There are moments in parenting when you walk into a situation thinking, “This is probably overpriced,” and still go anyway. This was one of those moments. My wife, Judy, and I were looking for another fun adventure. We live in Bangkok, Thailand, where there is no winter…
There were many times when my wife, Judy, and I almost lost our daughter, Rylae-Ann. The early years of her life were filled with medical emergencies, unanswered questions, and moments when the future felt painfully uncertain. Aromatic l-amino acid decarboxylase (AADC) deficiency is not a journey anyone…
Behind every child, especially a child with complex needs, are parents carrying unseen emotional weight. Our daughter, Rylae-Ann, was born with aromatic l-amino acid decarboxylase (AADC) deficiency, a rare neurological condition that shaped every aspect of our early parenting journey. While much of the focus rightly goes…
As we step into 2026, our journey with our daughter, Rylae-Ann, and aromatic L-amino acid decarboxylase (AADC) deficiency continues, but it looks very different from how it once did. For several years, our entire world revolved around her well-being. Every decision, every plan, every ounce of energy…
Our family is packing our suitcases once again, but this time it feels different. Instead of bracing ourselves for a long journey ahead, Judy, my wife, and I find our excitement rising each day as we prepare for a short 10-day trip back to the U.S. We’ve been looking forward…
Every slight improvement adds up over time to something meaningful. For our daughter, Rylae-Ann, who lives with aromatic l-amino acid decarboxylase (AADC) deficiency, progress has never come from a single therapy or breakthrough. It’s been a collection of small, intentional steps. Recently, my wife, Judy, and I…
As our family gathers around the table on Thanksgiving, I know we’ll once again take a moment to reflect on how far we’ve come and how many people have helped us reach this milestone. Gratitude will take on a deeper meaning for us, shaped by love, sacrifice, and the extraordinary…
Within the community of people with aromatic L-amino acid decarboxylase (AADC) deficiency, we refer to the day of gene therapy as “Reborn Day” because it truly marks a new beginning. Our family celebrated our daughter Rylae-Ann’s seventh Reborn Day on Nov. 13. For my wife, Judy,…
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