Columns

This month, I was once again impressed by how well connected the epidermolysis bullosa (EB) community is. I remember when I was younger, no such connection existed on social media like we have today. Rare is many – but not always locally As EB is a rare disease, only a…

Like with everything involving epidermolysis bullosa, finding the best bandage routine for our son Jonah, who was born with EB in 2009, has been a process of trial and error. The same process certainly doesn’t work for everyone, but I’d like to share what has worked for…

Like many teenage girls, when I was younger I imagined what my future would look like. I pictured a wedding with a loving husband, a house with a white picket fence, and at least two kids. These kids had 10 fingers and 10 toes. They…

Dear Jonah, When you were born with epidermolysis bullosa, they told us there was an 85% chance you wouldn’t make it to your first birthday. But this past Saturday you turned 12. Twelve years old. There is a part of me that can’t believe you’ve…

A few days ago, a friend working in healthcare communications asked: “What does rare mean for you?” It got me thinking. I answered: “Rare is something special, something unique. Something that doesn’t exist very often. But also, it’s something you should not forget about, something you shouldn’t oversee. Are we…

There are days when Jonah, my 11-year-old son with epidermolysis bullosa, and I feel like educating folks about his condition. And there are days when we don’t. When he was younger, I would intercept the stares, block him with my body, and do the educating…

Jonah, my 11-year-old son who has epidermolysis bullosa (EB), is wounded from head to toe and must be covered in lifesaving bandages every single day. These bandages not only cover his current wounds, prevent infection, and promote healing, but also give him a layer of “skin” that keeps…

This year, I want to say thank you. Thank you, 2020! I know that many will think, “Why ‘thank you’? Are you crazy?” But no — I just want to be happy. Many people were, or still are, hating on 2020. They wanted it to end so badly, as if…

In another bummer turn of events, my 11-year-old son Jonah woke up on Sunday morning with a corneal abrasion. These, and the types of blisters he experienced on Christmas, are two of the most painful things he endures. He hasn’t dealt with an eye…

Our Christmas started out like most people’s. Well, sort of. We, like many, kept it small this year. On Christmas Eve, we did bath and bandage change in the afternoon. It never really feels like a holiday can begin until that is out of the way. That night,…

I know, normally we associate love with February because of Valentine’s Day and all. I even wrote a column about love in February. But isn’t Christmas also a time of love? Love for our family, our loved ones, ourselves, and life in general. Everything should slow down. During Christmas,…

I am an extrovert by nature. Most of my life I have gotten my energy from being around other people. I value others’ opinions, points of view, camaraderie, and comfort. I love to laugh and have always been up for a good game night.