My full and undivided attention was dedicated to navigating the stroller over cobblestone sidewalks. When I reached the end, I executed a 180-degree motion so that the back wheels descended the high curb first since there was no ramp. Potholes, stairs, and crowds were some of the other challenges we…
The Journey of Beautiful Destinations — Richard E. Poulin III
Richard E. Poulin III is an American currently working as Head of Middle School for an international school in Bangkok, Thailand. He is also the president of the nonprofit organization Teach RARE. In 2018 his newborn daughter, Rylae-Ann, was diagnosed with the ultra-rare disease, aromatic l-amino acid decarboxylase deficiency. Richard shares his journey and aims to provide caregivers with strategies and tips to improve their family’s journey.
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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…
Warm water flows across our child’s scalp and soothes her. Other times, the water tickles her and makes her feel anxious. Over time, these observations supported us in making her bathing experience pleasant. Children with aromatic l-amino decarboxylase (AADC) deficiency will have severe symptoms such as…
Our daughter throws a toy across the room or whines about not having an iPad before plopping her hands in her food at dinnertime. While these frustrating behaviors are an annoyance, they’re also a luxury we’re fortunate to deal with. During an online discussion with other parents whose children received…
While holding my daughter Rylae-Ann’s hands like a puppeteer, I allowed her fingers to touch the wet snout of a horse. She let out a giggle. That was the moment her love for animals began. After we learned that Rylae-Ann has a rare neurotransmitter disease known as…
The clock struck 3:10 in the afternoon, and the bell let out a final scream. I waved goodbye and gave high-fives to eager students. The middle of June marks the end of my academic year as principal and the start of a long break, for which I’ve dedicated several weeks…
We prepared each meal with diligent slicing, dicing, and pureeing. Each menu and food item was selected thoughtfully for its necessary nutrition. With each spoonful of food, however, anxiety filled our hearts that this one might send our daughter, Rylae-Ann, back to the emergency room. My wife and I did…
Years ago, my wife, Judy, and I received the news that our daughter’s clinical trial application had been approved, allowing her to receive an experimental therapy for her rare and life-threatening disease, aromatic l-amino acid decarboxylase (AADC) deficiency. As our cheers subsided, questions began to fill the air.
Instead of asking what’s the matter with my child, ask what matters to my child. What do I need for them to be happy and successful? After our daughter, Rylae-Ann, was diagnosed with aromatic l-amino acid decarboxylase (AADC) deficiency, the traditional milestones by age went out the window.
It took years of persuading our daughter, Rylae-Ann, to hop into the curved seat of the playground swing on her own and enjoy the freedom and weightlessness of swinging. When she turned 5 in April, we filmed and shared this significant achievement with family and friends after she finally…
As a child, I hated expecting the same old routine. The best days were when something unexpected happened. Excitement and thrill induced wonderful feelings and were seared into my memory. Those are still the standout moments for me when I reminisce about my youth. As an educator, I now know…
Parenting is already a full-time job, but the list of tasks mounts for parents of children with health challenges. After work during the week and on weekends, my wife and I operate as a team to coordinate our 5-year-old daughter Rylae-Ann’s care and therapy sessions, as she…
Before my daughter, Rylae-Ann, was diagnosed with aromatic l-amino acid decarboxylase (AADC) deficiency, I had no idea about the size and scope of the rare disease community. When I entered this new world, information and resources were difficult to find. But the power of celebrities and other public…
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