The Journey of Beautiful Destinations — Richard E. Poulin III

In September 2021, a post came across my Facebook news feed about a freelance writing position for AADC News. My wife, Judy, and I were still very much isolated due to our daughter’s condition, but I couldn’t help but…

It may be an ill-formed sentence someone blurts or deliberate malice. Either way, any negativity expressed about our daughter, spoken or unspoken, goes straight to our hearts. My skin is thick, and I calculate my responses. Is defending my…

Today, our daughter, Rylae-Ann, sits at a piano and explores the sounds she can make, then jumps off the stool and heads to the xylophone to grab a mallet, which makes the magical sounds flow out.

After work a week ago, on a Monday, it was straight home. We grabbed our packed suitcases and headed for the airport. We arrived with an hour to spare, but then we had time to let the anticipation sink…

At 5:30 a.m., I quietly sneak out of bed, wash, dress, and straighten my tie. As I finish getting myself ready, my wife and daughter wake up to start their morning routine. With kisses all around, I make my…

Once Singapore’s warm, tropical sun had set, a cool breeze became noticeable. With only the palm trees swaying above my head, I could think clearly. I used to reserve this time for high-intensity sports. Now I use it to…

When I don’t know how to do something, I’m the type of person to go figure it out. YouTube has taught me skills ranging from fixing a leaky faucet to trail running. My wife and I applied the same…

Our daughter’s first three years of life were spent in a hospital. The first year involved diagnostic testing and fighting to thrive due to severe symptoms of aromatic l-amino acid decarboxylase (AADC) deficiency. The second…

As we prepared for the arrival of our daughter, Rylae-Ann, we expected some cute baby drooling. We were even excited about donning the burpee cloth as a sign of parenthood. However, her drool came flowing beyond what we ever…

As my friends and I sat in the shade under two large cabanas, members of the hotel staff brought us cool drinks and delicious Texas barbecue. Although it was hot, a cool breeze continuously flowed, and we took periodic…

Twelve plane trips, five states, and several adventures later, I feel blessed our family had a marvelous month-long summer vacation. However, as the vacation comes to a close, I am reminded that although our daughter, Rylae-Ann, received…

Another hospital visit and another test. Searching for answers for the condition of our daughter, Rylae-Ann, meant constant hospital admissions. Between testing and treating complications of this mystery disease, the hospital staff knew us by name. These trips involved…