Emily's Hope
  • Support EDS Research

    Many of the world's leading geneticists and researchers believe - with good reason - that science is on the brink of a major breakthrough in developing a life-saving treatment for Vascular Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome. The need for ongoing financial support is critical - rare diseases like VEDS receive little, if any, support through grants. You can share this journey with the patients and families fighting for their lives by donating to these projects; it has never been easier and it has never been more important. Visit www.ehlersdanlosnetwork.org for information on the best way for you to be a part.
Emily's Hope

Emily’s Hope: A Lesson for Us All

The WHOLE WIDE WORLD should know there is a girl in central Florida with a beautiful smile, and an even more beautiful soul whose name is Emily and who is in very, very poor health right now.  To say she is fighting Vascular Ehlers-Danlos syndrome would be serious enough; but for Emily, vEDS is just … Read more

Pictures of the lab...

Research at Johns’ Hopkins Offers Hope for EDS

Update – 2/4/2011:  The information contained in this article is published with the permission of EDS Network C.A.R.E.S., for whom this letter was originally written by Dr. Dietz.  It’s through the relentless pursuit and dedication of this group that this project is happening at all.  They are a fabulous group of patients, families, and friends … Read more

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The Council of Mothers (and a few devoted dads)

The Council of Mothers (and a few devoted dads) convenes as necessary in the wee hours of the morning, the midday afternoon on holidays, the Tuesdays after checkups and at all other times deemed necessary by its members. Together we share one another’s questions, worries, and our greatest common fear – the loss of our … Read more

Letting Go . . . a little bit . .

Standing shoulder to shoulder with hundreds of other parents this past Monday on what turned out to be an absolutely sticky afternoon, I waited with my son as the crowd behind us pressed in.  Sixth grade students  from all over our county had descended on a parking lot to embark on the week they’d been … Read more

Survey Results: Vascular Type

What Vascular EDS Patients are Saying: The symtoms and percentages listed below are from the informal online survey I’ve had posted for a few weeks now.  These results are only for the patients who identified themselves or their loved ones as having the Vascular type of Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome.  Also, these results are changing every day … Read more

First Results from EDS Survey

In early 2010, I created an online survey for patients (or their family members) to complete.  The idea was to gather some basic information on ourselves as a community because the better informed we are, the more capable we are to advocate for ourselves and our loved ones.  So far, more than 220 surveys have … Read more

TAD Coalition – The Ritter Rules

Named for actor John Ritter, who died from an aortic dissection, the Ritter Rules offer practical guidelines for patients to equip themselves with and increase their chances of accurate diagnosis and treatment.  There are many diseases and risk factors at work, just one of which is Vascular Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome, but other genetic syndromes and lifestyle … Read more

The Other Side of the Nightmare

Twelve months ago I was forced to face an idea that terrified me.  Our local orthopaedic surgeon who was treating my son for the ACL tear in his right knee was telling me – in front of my son no less – that surgery was the only way to stop the worsening damage, keep my … Read more

BIG BAD BULLY STRANGLES STUDENT Blames Teacher & Classmates

A local Schoolyard Bully (a.k.a. Average Health Insurance Company) told a class full of terrified children that if they “know what’s good for them” – no one will tell on him when the teacher comes back.    As it turns out, the Bully has been taking lunch money from kids and promising to “take care of them ”.  Convincing … Read more

Cardboard Walls

A friend of mine told me once about an experience she had soon after she lost her husband.  She was at the family’s home, the day of the funeral, and was mindlessly shaking hands, nodding at people’s condolences, and smiling as best she could.  An older woman who my friend knew only remotely took her … Read more

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