Once Upon A Gene Effie Parks

ONCE UPON A GENE - EPISODE 226
From Classrooms to Communities - Parents Visionary Journey in Education, Living, and Advocacy for Inclusion and Epilepsy Funding with Jillian and Scott Copeland

Jillian and Scott Copeland are husband and wife, advocates and pioneers who have transformed their personal journey of having a child diagnosed with epilepsy. They have taken off on a quest to create supportive and inclusive environments for kids with disabilities and founded a school, an inclusive living community and the Epilepsies Action Network. They're a force also shaping the policy landscape.

EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS

Can you first tell us about yourselves and your family?
Our journey started about 30 years ago and we've had four sons. Our third son, Nicol, is about to turn 25 years old and when he was 8 months old, he had a prolonged seizure for over two hours and it took us on a different parenting journey than we expected. Since then, we've raised our children together and explored opportunities and possibilities for Nicol, which took us down the path that brings us to today. Our journey with Nicol has given our family a lot of meaning and purpose and it's been an amazing journey.

Given that genetic testing hasn't revealed answers for what has caused his epilepsy, how have you managed to navigate the uncertainty and maintained such positivity and strength?
Nicol is the lead, the model and we follow his example. Nicol is a wonderful model and he shares a lot of love and joy. He will have a terrible seizure, have to be medicated, feel awful after and wake up the next day with joy. We've had to manage fear and worry, but we take on Nicol's "the sky's the limit" and "can-do" attitude. We don't have the power to control or change a lot, but we do have a choice in how we see it and how we live life. We're both controlling people, but we had to come to terms with what we couldn't control. We'll keep living to the fullest and sharing and feeling love the best we can.

Can you tell us about The Diener School?
When Nicol was six, he was attending a school that wasn't the best fit for him and we decided to start a school. We found great partners and professionals to help us and we started The Diener School in 2007. The school is a multi-sensory experiential approach with very talented educators, therapists and behavior specialists who work with the kids and with each other. There are elements of the connection of movement and learning, social thinking and other essential curricula and strategies needed for kids who don't learn traditionally and learn through the senses.

What is Main Street all about?
Main Street is a 70 unit building in Rockville, Maryland where 25% of the units are set aside for individuals with disabilities and 75% of the units are affordable, serving households at 60% or less of the area's median income. On the ground floor, there's a 10,000 square foot community space and it's an inclusive environment open to anybody through membership. It's a place for people to find their happy, to be a part of a community and feel like they belong.

What is the Epilepsies Action Network?
Epilepsies Action Network brings together a widespread community of epilepsies in one unified voice to lobby the federal government for funds for the epilepsies because it's an under-funded disease, and as a result, there haven't been a lot of treatment advances or breakthroughs.


LINKS AND RESOURCES MENTIONED
ONCE UPON A GENE - EPISODE 224 - The Complicated World of ICD10 Codes with CEO and Co-Founder of SLC6A1 Connect - Amber Freed
https://effieparks.com/podcast/episode-224-the-complicated-world-of-icd10-codes-with-ceo-and-co-founder-of-slc6a1-connect-amber-freed
Epilepsies Action Network
https://www.epilepsiesactionnetwork.org/
Rare Epilepsy Network
https://www.rareepilepsynetwork.org/
The Diener School
https://thedienerschool.org/
Main Street
https://mainstreetconnect.org/

ONCE UPON A GENE - EPISODE 225
The Bravery of the Brokenhearted - A Big Brothers Perspective on Grief From the Loss of a Sibling with Sanfilippo Syndrome with Noah Siedman

Noah Siedman was a big brother to Ben who had Sanfilippo Syndrome, a devastating disease that leads to childhood dementia and premature death. He joins me to talk about his sibling experience and dealing with grief.

EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS

As a sibling under potential pressure to not be a burden, do you still carry those feelings even after Ben's passing?
It's hard as a sibling to see everything your parents are facing that's out of your control. As a sibling, there's a need to be on top of your own care and your own emotions. There were no casual complaints in my family growing up. It was either a disaster or business as usual. Filling in that middle space where you have a bad day and want to talk about it didn't exist. We've had to work on that as a family because that's not how we've functioned. 

What coping mechanisms help you to write and talk about your experience?
I came to the realization that I was going to be emotionally vulnerable, which is uncomfortable. Knowing I would have to talk about my experience and brother, I had to accept it, put it out front, and get really good at talking about it comfortably. I got more comfortable talking about the progression of my brother's disease and my feelings around him, and I used it as a shield. 

What would you say to the young person who is living the same life you were living and what questions should people ask that person?
The first thing that I would say, and maybe the best thing to ask that person, is about their roles. When do you feel like a sibling? When do you feel like a caregiver? When do you feel like you're an advocate? When do you feel like you are just you? I got stuck in trying to be a lot of those things at once, where the easiest role to ignore was being just me. But everything you push down morphs into something worse. Frustration turns into resentment, fear turns into trepidation, sadness becomes melancholy. 

What are the misconceptions people have about death?
The biggest problem with grief is that no amount of experience is applicable. It defies the ability to be prepared for it or to use your past to help you cope. I don't think grief gets easier, I think you get better at it. Those that try to give advice to people that are grieving are hanging on to the idea that that time will heal. It's not that your grief goes away, it's that you get better at it.

How has your relationship with your sister changed?
Ben's death brought us closer and we do a good job of communicating despite handling things differently. There's no right or wrong way to navigate life with a sibling who has a genetic disorder, so we don't judge each other and we're honest with each other. 

As a parent, how do you help siblings to have a better experience?
Abandon the idea that you owe siblings normalcy. My parents put a lot of effort into delivering normal childhood experiences. Instead, put that energy into helping your children articulate what they want. More important than chasing normal is helping siblings decide what's important to them and how to pursue it.

LINKS & RESOURCES MENTIONED
ONCE UPON A GENE - Episode 109 - A Rare Collection - What I Know For Sure with Noah Siedman, Grayson Skibington and Nash Hawkins
https://effieparks.com/podcast/episode-109-what-i-know-for-sure

CONNECT WITH EFFIE PARKS
Website
https://effieparks.com/
Twitter
https://twitter.com/OnceUponAGene
Instagram
https://www.instagram.com/onceuponagene.podcast/?hl=en
Built Ford Tough Facebook Group
https://www.facebook.com/groups/1877643259173346/

ONCE UPON A GENE - EPISODE 224
The Complicated World of ICD10 Codes with CEO and Co-Founder of SLC6A1 Connect - Amber Freed

Advocate, rare mom and Founder of SLC6A1 Connect, Amber Freed joins me to talk about ICD-10 codes— the frustrations, the battles, and the common-sense changes we're fighting for in the rare disease community that are pivotal to research, recognition and treatment of so many rare diseases. 

EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS

What are ICD-10 codes?
In 1999, the ICD-10 code was developed by the World Health Organization and it was used to track mortality coding from death certificates. It was the way people were tracked when they died, but it also became the way people were diagnosed and treated for conditions. Today, they drive so much in clinical medicine. When you go to the doctor, they will input a code of the flu, strep throat, or whatever ailment you're affected by. In a practical sense, it is how the doctor bills insurance. 

How do misused ICD-10 codes affect our kids?
They are the bones of our healthcare system and it impacts rare disease because when we go to the doctor and describe our children's symptoms, we need a code to represent diseases so we can be recognized as a legitimate disease and population and so that patients can be tracked in our healthcare system. 

What does an organization need to know and what is the process for applying for an ICD-10 code?
There are two chances per year to obtain an ICD-10 code. You submit a formal application and if you're selected, you can present before a committee and then it'll be a year to be issued a code. The application is pretty straightforward, with a scientific component and a clinical component. With a medical board of advisors, it's not hard to complete the application and gather materials. 

How can we as a rare disease community fight to help make changes around ICD-10 code use and issuing. 
As a community, we need to get the Rare Disease Legislative Caucus involved, get the White House involved, talk to our senators and congressmen. We need to all apply for ICD-10 codes and get loud, tweet about it, talk about it, get noticed. 


LINKS AND RESOURCES MENTIONED
ICD-10 Code PAG Action Plan
Combined Brain
https://combinedbrain.org/
EveryLife
https://everylife.com/
NORD
https://rarediseases.org/
Global Genes
https://globalgenes.org/
SLC6A1 Connect
https://slc6a1connect.org/
Email Amber
afreed@SLC6A1Connect.org 


CONNECT WITH EFFIE PARKS
Website
https://effieparks.com/
Twitter
https://twitter.com/OnceUponAGene
Instagram
https://www.instagram.com/onceuponagene.podcast/?hl=en
Built Ford Tough Facebook Group
https://www.facebook.com/groups/1877643259173346/

ONCE UPON A GENE - EPISODE 223
Rare Epilepsy Network with Ilene Penn Miller and Christina Sanlnocencio

Ilene Miller and Christina SanInocencio are advocates doing groundbreaking work at the Rare Epilepsy Network (REN), a volunteer network of epilepsy organizations banding together, sharing research efforts, and improving the lives of rare epilepsy patients and families. They're here to share about the inception and mission of REN and the resources available through membership.

EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS

What gap did establishing REN fill?
REN was born out of the need for smaller organizations to have more information about constituents and their experiences and not being able to secure the funds to do that for themselves. Ten rare epilepsy organizations came together and were awarded funding to create the first rare epilepsy network registry that had the capacity to collect information across all rare epilepsies.

How do you engage, continue to grow and support your community?
We host monthly meetings and we bring in researchers, partners, speakers and other organizations to bring information to our members that they can use. Most recently we had panelists come in to talk about mortality, which is a hard topic to discuss, but our members are dealing with this in their own communities. The panel shared resources and best practices and we're assembling a collaborative working group to continue making these resources available to the network. We also have a list serve which includes all REN members where anyone can ask questions. The discussions that happen as a result are so valuable and helpful. We have a referral network so we can refer researchers, academics, clinicians and other industry professionals to the organizational partners, support groups and patient organizations they can engage in. We stay connected with these communities so we can connect the dots and match-make and help everyone find their tribe. Our monthly newsletter includes all the latest REN news, we share resources, highlight organizations and organization leaders.

What are the future goals for REN?
We pulse our members to see what's most important to them and two years ago, we focused on multi-disciplinary clinics because we heard from members that there aren't enough of them. We took a deep-dive into multi-disciplinary clinics and organized meetings at the Annual American Epilepsy Society Conference to bring together 100 researchers, clinicians and patient-advisory group leaders to work on the challenge. This year we're working on clustering to determine where there's synergy between epilepsy commonalities. 

Why should a patient organization or support group join REN?
There's no cost to be a REN member and you can engage at a pace that works for you, whether you serve on a committee and be active in work groups, or you can just watch, learn and share information as it's appropriate. 

What resources do you wish current REN members better utilized?
For current members, I'd like to see more engagement on social media using the hashtag #rareepilepsies in all posts. If any syndrome or disorder has epilepsy as a symptoms, using the hashtag #rareepilepsies can help build public and professional awareness. Our monthly member meetings are very actively engaged with 50+ organization leaders attending and sharing insights, so if you aren't coming to those meetings, you're missing out. 


LINKS AND RESOURCES MENTIONED
ONCE UPON A GENE - EPISODE 207 - Breaking Barriers in Brain Health with Tracy Dixon-Salazar, PhD
https://effieparks.com/podcast/episode-207-breaking-barriers-in-brain-health-with-tracy-dixon-salazar-phd
LGS Foundation
https://www.lgsfoundation.org/
Hope for Hypothalamic Hamartomas
https://www.hopeforhh.org/
American Epilepsy Society
https://aesnet.org/
Epilepsy Foundation 
https://www.epilepsy.com/
Undiagnosed Disease Network 
https://undiagnosed.hms.harvard.edu/
Courageous Parents Network
https://courageousparentsnetwork.org/

ONCE UPON A GENE - EPISODE 222
Krabbe Disease with Kasey Feldt

Kasey Feldt is the mom of two- one year old Lukas and Dawson, who passed away from Krabbe disease. Kasey has become a passionate and unstoppable advocate, not only advocating for Krabbe disease, but also the newborn screening system so kids have a better chance at early detection.  

EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS

Can you tell us about yourself and your rare disease journey?
My son Dawson was diagnosed with Krabbe disease. He was born a healthy baby boy and at about three months old, my husband and I noticed symptoms such as lack of head control, eating difficulties and irritability. We began testing and at about six months old, we received a diagnosis of Krabbe disease, a terminal diagnosis. We kept Dawson comfortable for about eight months following his diagnosis and he passed away at fifteen months old. 

What is your advice for someone interested in policy advocacy?
Search and find out who your local lawmakers are, especially your Delegate. The EveryLife Foundation is a good source for information on policy advocacy and can help you to be successful. Also, gather your disease community because the more the merrier. 

How has advocating for Krabbe disease and newborn screening impacted you?
It became my passion to advocate for Krabbe disease, but also rare disease in general. When Dawson passed, I knew I wanted to do this work as a career. I started working for Sisters' Hope Foundation and it's been an amazing experience and honor to Dawson. 

LINKS AND RESOURCES MENTIONED
ONCE UPON A GENE - EPISODE 214 - A Courageous Gift - The Power of Brain and Tissue Donation in Rare Disease Research with Anne Rugari
https://effieparks.com/podcast/episode-214-the-power-of-brain-and-tissue-donation-in-rare-disease-research
ONCE UPON A GENE - Episode 111 - The Importance of Newborn Screening in Every State with ALD Alliance Founder Elisa Seeger
https://effieparks.com/podcast/episode-111-elisa-seeger-ald-alliance
ONCE UPON A GENE - Episode 128 - Sisters’ Hope Foundation President and Founder Heidi Edwards on Recognizing ALSP Symptoms and the Importance of Genetic Testing
https://effieparks.com/podcast/episode-128-heidi-edwards
EveryLife Foundation
https://everylifefoundation.org/
KrabbeConnect
https://krabbeconnect.org/
Hunter's Hope
https://www.huntershope.org/
Krabbe Families Facebook Group
https://www.facebook.com/groups/krabbefamilies/
Librarey
https://www.librarey.com/
Sisters' Hope Foundation
https://sistershopefoundation.org/
World Orphan Drug 2024
https://www.terrapinn.com/conference/world-orphan-drug-congress-usa/
GeneDX
https://www.genedx.com/
Beyond The Diagnosis
https://www.beyondthediagnosis.org/

CONNECT WITH EFFIE PARKS
Website
https://effieparks.com/
Twitter
https://twitter.com/OnceUponAGene
Instagram
https://www.instagram.com/onceuponagene.podcast/?hl=en
Built Ford Tough Facebook Group
https://www.facebook.com/groups/1877643259173346/

ONCE UPON A GENE - EPISODE 221
BeginNGS - Newborn Genomic Sequencing to End the Diagnostic Odyssey with Dr. Stephen Kingsmore, Wendy Erler and Tom DeFay

I'm joined by Dr. Stephen Kingsmore, Wendy Erler and Tom DeFay to discuss BeginNGS, a ground-breaking initiative that stands at the forefront of genetic sequencing and rare disease diagnosis. 

EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS

What led to the creation of BeginNGS?
Rare genetic diseases are an immense health ecosystem challenge- receiving a timely diagnosis. On average, it takes 4.8 years to diagnose a child with a genetic disease, and meanwhile, symptoms continue to worsen and the disease progresses. The goal of BeginNGS is to prevent or reduce the impact on children with rare genetic diseases, minimizing suffering, cost and delay of diagnosis. 

Why is BeginNGS an important initiative to support?
Anyone connected to the rare disease community shares the same vision for a world where every rare disease patient receives the right effective treatment at the right time. That starts with changing the diagnostic odyssey and ensuring early, fast diagnosis.

What is the mission of the BeginNGS Consortium?
The BeginNGS Consortium is a partnership of pharmaceutical and biotech companies, sharing a vision of the right effective treatment at the right time. Our vision is ultimately to ensure every baby born in the United States has the opportunity to be screened for rare disorders. What differentiates this program and the consortium is that the patient communities have been represented from the beginning and the patient population communities has been impressive. Some of our working groups are led by members of the patient community to make sure that what's delivered is valuable to the patients. 

What are the major pain points to leveraging newborn screening for preventable disorders and broad use of rapid diagnostic genome sequencing?
Pediatricians rarely order genome sequencing. We estimate only 2% of children who need the testing get it. Additionally, even when testing is ordered, it doesn't always translate into optimal treatments and there can still be delays in life-saving treatments. 

What does the future look like for BeginNGS?
The BeginNGS Consortium is comprised of rare disease advocacy organizations, parent support groups, healthcare systems, policy makers, experts in academic medicine, biotech companies developing new genome sequencing methods and pharmaceutical companies developing new treatments for rare genetic diseases. We hope to increase the size of the consortium so we can grow the organization and capture every voice and represent every genetic disease. Another strong aspiration is to raise grant support and funding to complete and deploy our pivotal clinical trial. 


LINKS AND RESOURCES MENTIONED
BeginNGS
https://radygenomics.org/begin-ngs-newborn-sequencing/
Alexion
https://alexion.com/
ONCE UPON A GENE - EPISODE 213 - Finding Strength In Every Step
https://effieparks.com/podcast/episode-213-finding-strength-in-every-step
Frontiers 2024 Conference
https://radygenomics.org/frontiers-conference/


CONNECT WITH EFFIE PARKS
Website
https://effieparks.com/
Twitter
https://twitter.com/OnceUponAGene
Instagram
https://www.instagram.com/onceuponagene.podcast/?hl=en
Built Ford Tough Facebook Group
https://www.facebook.com/groups/1877643259173346/