Mornings in our house are always a bit like a relay race — with the occasional baton drop. Last week, as my wife, Judy, and I were preparing for our day as educators — the final leg of this “parental marathon” being getting our daughter, Rylae-Ann, ready…
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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Even before our daughter, Rylae-Ann, was diagnosed with aromatic l-amino acid decarboxylase (AADC) deficiency, my wife, Judy, began taking meticulous notes. We were not writing a book. We were just trying to understand what was happening to our family. AADC deficiency is an ultra-rare genetic disorder that…
My wife, Judy, and I have spent our careers teaching at bilingual schools, where the curriculum is delivered in at least two languages and all students are expected to learn in both of them. We’ve always believed in the cognitive benefits of bilingualism, such as enhanced problem-solving, creativity, and improved…
Our daughter, Rylae-Ann, has journeyed from fighting for her life to living out a childhood dream. While she still faces some challenges, they pale in comparison to the battles she once fought. Nearly five years have passed since she received gene therapy to treat her rare neurotransmitter…
Social media is an extraordinary tool, especially for families affected by rare diseases who are scattered across the globe. Without it, many of us would never have found each other. These online connections have prompted me to reflect on our family’s journey and consider how our experiences might offer valuable…
Our daughter, Rylae-Ann, lost her first tooth not too long ago, and boy was it an event. She’d been wiggling that thing for days, proudly announcing to anyone who would listen that her tooth was loose. While she was initially worried about it, we quickly reassured her that it was…
As the summer days grew shorter and the start of first grade loomed closer, we found ourselves reflecting on the journey that had brought us to this moment. My wife, Judy, and I remembered the days before our daughter, Rylae-Ann, was diagnosed with aromatic l-amino acid decarboxylase (AADC) deficiency,…
After an enlightening experience at the mall — where my wife, Judy, and I witnessed the calming influence that dogs had on our 6-year-old daughter, Rylae-Ann — we found ourselves reconsidering the benefits of adding to our family. Judy and I knew we had to explore this option further…
Once again, my family took a summer trip to Taipei, Taiwan, to contribute data to a clinical trial. Our daughter, Rylae-Ann, is participating in a study of the long-term efficacy of a treatment for aromatic l-amino acid decarboxylase (AADC) deficiency. Our previous trip last summer provided…
A few weeks ago, our daughter, Rylae-Ann, mentioned she had a wiggly tooth. I gently pushed her teeth and found the wiggly one. The moment of losing her first tooth was near, and my wife, Judy, and I decided to use it as a learning moment. When Rylae-Ann was born,…
Finding places to visit with our 6-year-old daughter, Rylae-Ann, has been challenging. But keeping her unique needs in mind when planning makes the process much easier. Rylae-Ann was born with aromatic l-amino acid decarboxylase (AADC) deficiency, a rare neurotransmitter disease. Its symptoms make it challenging to visit…
Many parents may dread the summer break from school, but for my wife, Judy, and me, it’s a time to create memorable moments. With our daughter, Rylae-Ann, the greatest of these is when we’re at the beach. Growing up on an island in the Pacific, I’ve always connected with…
After years of struggling to get our daughter, Rylae-Ann, to sit for a haircut, we finally had a tear-free experience. Rylae-Ann was born with aromatic l-amino acid decarboxylase (AADC) deficiency, a rare genetic disorder that affects neurotransmitter production, including dopamine and serotonin. This condition leads to severe…
Recent Posts
- We wrote ‘Reawaken’ so no rare disease family has to feel alone
- When therapy looks like a video game for our daughter with AADC deficiency
- Helpful strategies to mitigate our child’s haircut anxiety
- Planning for the summer heat for your child with AADC deficiency
- Specific gene pairings alter the severity of AADC deficiency cases