Apple picking. It's not just for people who need to get out of the house with their toddlers.

A fun surprise in the pumpkin patch. 

Stronger Every Day is sponsored by The Disorder Channel. It's dedicated to rare diseases and other types of disabilities. Over 100 film and video titles, including a few video versions of this podcast. Available for free right now on Roku and Amazon Fire TV. The Disorder Channel. The most rare stories in the world. https://www.thedisordercollection.com/

Are you on our Discord server RARE & RELATABLE? It's a 24/7 chatroom for people dealing with rare diseases and other types of disabilities. We even have a closed channel for Hao-Fountain / USP7 families. Click here to join: discord.gg/7UFUPAFs8K

Calendar invites. Rare parents get a lot of 'em. And we pretty much have to click yes every single time.

Mindset is key. 

Stronger Every Day is sponsored by The Disorder Channel. It's dedicated to rare diseases and other types of disabilities. Over 100 film and video titles, including a few video versions of this podcast. Available for free right now on Roku and Amazon Fire TV. The Disorder Channel. The most rare stories in the world. https://www.thedisordercollection.com/

Are you on our Discord server RARE & RELATABLE? It's a 24/7 chatroom for people dealing with rare diseases and other types of disabilities. We even have a closed channel for Hao-Fountain / USP7 families. Click here to join: discord.gg/7UFUPAFs8K

We've come a long way together, Tess Army.

Stay tuned through the end of this ep for an incredible surprise from my main man Daniel DeFabio. 

Stronger Every Day is sponsored by The Disorder Channel. It's dedicated to rare diseases and other types of disabilities. Over 100 film and video titles, including a few video versions of this podcast. Available for free right now on Roku and Amazon Fire TV. The Disorder Channel. The most rare stories in the world. https://www.thedisordercollection.com/

Are you on our Discord server RARE & RELATABLE? It's a 24/7 chatroom for people dealing with rare diseases and other types of disabilities. We even have a closed channel for Hao-Fountain / USP7 families. Click here to join: discord.gg/7UFUPAFs8K

Foundations often start small, with a few parents around a kitchen table. But they grow. And ours is growing now, thanks to a special tool. Do you want to know what the Matrix is?

This week:  I share three major pieces of news, including how to get involved. USP7 patient families, I'm looking at you on this. 

Stronger Every Day is sponsored by The Disorder Channel. It's dedicated to rare diseases and other types of disabilities. Over 100 film and video titles, including a few video versions of this podcast. Available for free right now on Roku and Amazon Fire TV. The Disorder Channel. The most rare stories in the world. https://www.thedisordercollection.com/

Are you on our Discord server RARE & RELATABLE? It's a 24/7 chatroom for people dealing with rare diseases and other types of disabilities. We even have a closed channel for Hao-Fountain / USP7 families. Click here to join: discord.gg/7UFUPAFs8K

There are no camps. No activities. No more summer school. What can we do in the last weeks of August, before school starts?

Tess is having herself a dynamite summer.

Stronger Every Day is sponsored by The Disorder Channel. It's dedicated to rare diseases and other types of disabilities. Over 100 film and video titles, including a few video versions of this podcast. Available for free right now on Roku and Amazon Fire TV. The Disorder Channel. The most rare stories in the world. https://www.thedisordercollection.com/

Are you on our Discord server RARE & RELATABLE? It's a 24/7 chatroom for people dealing with rare diseases and other types of disabilities. We even have a closed channel for Hao-Fountain / USP7 families. Click here to join: discord.gg/7UFUPAFs8K

Our family just took our first voyage in over three years, to Montreal and Quebec. We learned a ton. And I'm back this week with some more tips about traveling with autism, so you know what worked for us on the road with Tess.

Part two of two, with tips about what's been helpful for us as we travel with our Tess.

Stronger Every Day is sponsored by The Disorder Channel. It's dedicated to rare diseases and other types of disabilities. Over 100 film and video titles, including a few video versions of this podcast. Available for free right now on Roku and Amazon Fire TV. The Disorder Channel. The most rare stories in the world. https://www.thedisordercollection.com/

Are you on our Discord server RARE & RELATABLE? It's a 24/7 chatroom for people dealing with rare diseases and other types of disabilities. We even have a closed channel for Hao-Fountain / USP7 families. Click here to join: discord.gg/7UFUPAFs8K

Our family just took our first big trip in over three years, to Montreal and Quebec. We learned a lot. And I'm gonna give you some tips about traveling with autism, so you know what worked for us with our Tess.

Tess did great on this voyage. 

Stronger Every Day is sponsored by The Disorder Channel. It's dedicated to rare diseases and other types of disabilities. Over 100 film and video titles, including a few video versions of this podcast. Available for free right now on Roku and Amazon Fire TV. The Disorder Channel. The most rare stories in the world. https://www.thedisordercollection.com/

Are you on our Discord server RARE & RELATABLE? It's a 24/7 chatroom for people dealing with rare diseases and other types of disabilities. We even have a closed channel for Hao-Fountain / USP7 families. Click here to join: discord.gg/7UFUPAFs8K

 

You may know that Tess didn't walk until she was five. She wore orthotics, or braces, for years. And now, at age 12, she's back in braces.

Working on helping Tess walk better. 

Stronger Every Day is sponsored by The Disorder Channel. It's dedicated to rare diseases and other types of disabilities. Over 100 film and video titles, including a few video versions of this podcast. Available for free right now on Roku and Amazon Fire TV. The Disorder Channel. The most rare stories in the world. https://www.thedisordercollection.com/

Are you on our Discord server RARE & RELATABLE? It's a 24/7 chatroom for people dealing with rare diseases and other types of disabilities. We even have a closed channel for Hao-Fountain / USP7 families. Click here to join: discord.gg/7UFUPAFs8K

We play a lot of music in our house. In the kitchen, in the car, wherever. Tess is making her opinions known about certain tunes.

What are Tess's current fave songs?

Stronger Every Day is sponsored by The Disorder Channel. It's dedicated to rare diseases and other types of disabilities. Over 100 film and video titles, including a few video versions of this podcast. Available for free right now on Roku and Amazon Fire TV. The Disorder Channel. The most rare stories in the world. https://www.thedisordercollection.com/

Are you on our Discord server RARE & RELATABLE? It's a 24/7 chatroom for people dealing with rare diseases and other types of disabilities. We even have a closed channel for Hao-Fountain / USP7 families. Click here to join: discord.gg/7UFUPAFs8K

Happy to tell you this week about the next phase of our search for a cure or treatment for Hao-Fountain Syndrome.

You, Tess Army, are helping us, and we're grateful. 

Stronger Every Day is sponsored by The Disorder Channel. It's dedicated to rare diseases and other types of disabilities. Over 100 film and video titles, including a few video versions of this podcast. Available for free right now on Roku and Amazon Fire TV. The Disorder Channel. The most rare stories in the world. https://www.thedisordercollection.com/

Are you on our Discord server RARE & RELATABLE? It's a 24/7 chatroom for people dealing with rare diseases and other types of disabilities. We even have a closed channel for Hao-Fountain / USP7 families. Click here to join: discord.gg/7UFUPAFs8K

This week, we say goodbye to a dear member of our family.

When is a service dog not a service dog? 

Stronger Every Day is sponsored by The Disorder Channel. It's dedicated to rare diseases and other types of disabilities. Over 100 film and video titles, including a few video versions of this podcast. Available for free right now on Roku and Amazon Fire TV. The Disorder Channel. The most rare stories in the world. https://www.thedisordercollection.com/

Are you on our Discord server RARE & RELATABLE? It's a 24/7 chatroom for people dealing with rare diseases and other types of disabilities. We even have a closed channel for Hao-Fountain / USP7 families. Click here to join: discord.gg/7UFUPAFs8K

Our family is totally packed, ready to jet off to Germany for the phenotyping study and a massive family conference. And at the eleventh hour, there's a slight curveball. 

A large disappointment, but many many silver linings. 

Stronger Every Day is sponsored by The Disorder Channel. It's dedicated to rare diseases and other types of disabilities. Over 100 film and video titles, including a few video versions of this podcast. Available for free right now on Roku and Amazon Fire TV. The Disorder Channel. The most rare stories in the world. https://www.thedisordercollection.com/

Are you on our Discord server RARE & RELATABLE? It's a 24/7 chatroom for people dealing with rare diseases and other types of disabilities. We even have a closed channel for Hao-Fountain / USP7 families. Click here to join: discord.gg/7UFUPAFs8K

 

 

It comes around every year. At the very beginning of summer, and also at the end. It strikes fear into the hearts of parents everywhere. The blank space in the calendar.

What can Tess do when she's not in school? 

Stronger Every Day is sponsored by The Disorder Channel. It's dedicated to rare diseases and other types of disabilities. Over 100 film and video titles, including a few video versions of this podcast. Available for free right now on Roku and Amazon Fire TV. The Disorder Channel. The most rare stories in the world. https://www.thedisordercollection.com/

Are you on our Discord server RARE & RELATABLE? It's a 24/7 chatroom for people dealing with rare diseases and other types of disabilities. We even have a closed channel for Hao-Fountain / USP7 families. Click here to join: discord.gg/7UFUPAFs8K

The weather in Maine has been all over the place lately. One day it's in the 80s, next day you're putting on a fleece vest and wool socks. Let me tell you about some quality time I had with Tess one rainy day recently.

Kick off your shoes for a minute and watch the rain with Tess and me. 

Stronger Every Day is sponsored by The Disorder Channel. It's dedicated to rare diseases and other types of disabilities. Over 100 film and video titles, including a few video versions of this podcast. Available for free right now on Roku and Amazon Fire TV. The Disorder Channel. The most rare stories in the world. https://www.thedisordercollection.com/

Are you on our Discord server RARE & RELATABLE? It's a 24/7 chatroom for people dealing with rare diseases and other types of disabilities. We even have a closed channel for Hao-Fountain / USP7 families. Click here to join: discord.gg/7UFUPAFs8K

Does the word travel instill fear in you? Do you wish you could benefit from the brilliance of others who have hacks for traveling? If so, you're in luck. This week, more travel hacks for ya.

More tips for your voyages.

Stronger Every Day is sponsored by The Disorder Channel. It's dedicated to rare diseases and other types of disabilities. Over 100 film and video titles, including a few video versions of this podcast. Available for free right now on Roku and Amazon Fire TV. The Disorder Channel. The most rare stories in the world. https://www.thedisordercollection.com/

Are you on our Discord server RARE & RELATABLE? It's a 24/7 chatroom for people dealing with rare diseases and other types of disabilities. We even have a closed channel for Hao-Fountain / USP7 families. Click here to join: discord.gg/7UFUPAFs8K

 

Travel. Remember that? Been a while since we went anywhere, but I have some favorite hacks that have helped our family in voyages past, and I'd love to share them with you. 

Skip. The. Line. 

Stronger Every Day is sponsored by The Disorder Channel. It's dedicated to rare diseases and other types of disabilities. Over 100 film and video titles, including a few video versions of this podcast. Available for free right now on Roku and Amazon Fire TV. The Disorder Channel. The most rare stories in the world. https://www.thedisordercollection.com/

Are you on our Discord server RARE & RELATABLE? It's a 24/7 chatroom for people dealing with rare diseases and other types of disabilities. We even have a closed channel for Hao-Fountain / USP7 families. Click here to join: discord.gg/7UFUPAFs8K

On this holiday weekend, something extraordinary happened with our Tess. I wish you coulda seen it. 

Tess's pain threshold is something else. We think it could be part of her genetic disease, Hao-Fountain Syndrome. 

Stronger Every Day is sponsored by The Disorder Channel. It's dedicated to rare diseases and other types of disabilities. Over 100 film and video titles, including a few video versions of this podcast. Available for free right now on Roku and Amazon Fire TV. The Disorder Channel. The most rare stories in the world. https://www.thedisordercollection.com/

Are you on our Discord server RARE & RELATABLE? It's a 24/7 chatroom for people dealing with rare diseases and other types of disabilities. We even have a closed channel for Hao-Fountain / USP7 families. Click here to join: discord.gg/7UFUPAFs8K

We head to Germany in a month. We're trying to plan for everything. And there's one potential outcome that has us a bit concerned.

What would it look like to keep Tess in a hotel room--in Europe, not the US--for a week or more?

Stronger Every Day is sponsored by The Disorder Channel. It's dedicated to rare diseases and other types of disabilities. Over 100 film and video titles, including a few video versions of this podcast. Available for free right now on Roku and Amazon Fire TV. The Disorder Channel. The most rare stories in the world. https://www.thedisordercollection.com/

Are you on our Discord server RARE & RELATABLE? It's a 24/7 chatroom for people dealing with rare diseases and other types of disabilities. We even have a closed channel for Hao-Fountain / USP7 families. Click here to join: discord.gg/7UFUPAFs8K

There's not a parent alive who doesn't wistfully talk about the day when their kid used to nap. All the laundry that they used to be able to do, the household chores, et cetera. This week, Tess hit the hay in the middle of the day for the first time in many years. 

What effect does the COVID booster have on our Tess? 

Stronger Every Day is sponsored by The Disorder Channel. It's dedicated to rare diseases and other types of disabilities. Over 100 film and video titles, including a few video versions of this podcast. Available for free right now on Roku and Amazon Fire TV. The Disorder Channel. The most rare stories in the world. https://www.thedisordercollection.com/

Are you on our Discord server RARE & RELATABLE? It's a 24/7 chatroom for people dealing with rare diseases and other types of disabilities. We even have a closed channel for Hao-Fountain / USP7 families. Click here to join: discord.gg/7UFUPAFs8K

If you access the American health care system 40-50 times in a year, you're going to have to deal with some nonsense when it comes to insurance companies.

Up until recently, I woulda said I'd seen it all. But now our insurance company has created an issue I've never witnessed before.   
 
Stronger Every Day is sponsored by The Disorder Channel. It's dedicated to rare diseases and other types of disabilities. Over 100 film and video titles, including a few video versions of this podcast. Available for free right now on Roku and Amazon Fire TV. The Disorder Channel. The most rare stories in the world. https://www.thedisordercollection.com/

Are you on our Discord server RARE & RELATABLE? It's a 24/7 chatroom for people dealing with rare diseases and other types of disabilities. We even have a closed channel for Hao-Fountain / USP7 families. Click here to join: discord.gg/7UFUPAFs8K

Did you know that there are five seasons in Maine? There are. This one, the one after winter and before spring, is called mud season. It's a great time to take Tess shopping for summer clothes. 

Spoiler alert: Tess likes shopping. Still not a fan of waiting rooms, though. 

Stronger Every Day is sponsored by The Disorder Channel. It's dedicated to rare diseases and other types of disabilities. Over 100 film and video titles, including a few video versions of this podcast. Available for free right now on Roku and Amazon Fire TV. The Disorder Channel. The most rare stories in the world. https://www.thedisordercollection.com/

Are you on our Discord server RARE & RELATABLE? It's a 24/7 chatroom for people dealing with rare diseases and other types of disabilities. We even have a closed channel for Hao-Fountain / USP7 families. Click here to join: discord.gg/7UFUPAFs8K

Let's take a field trip with Miss Tess, shall we? It's spring break, and she knows just the place she wants to go.

Où est la bibliothèque? 

Stronger Every Day is sponsored by The Disorder Channel. It's dedicated to rare diseases and other types of disabilities. Over 100 film and video titles, including a few video versions of this podcast. Available for free right now on Roku and Amazon Fire TV. The Disorder Channel. The most rare stories in the world. https://www.thedisordercollection.com/

Are you on our Discord server RARE & RELATABLE? It's a 24/7 chatroom for people dealing with rare diseases and other types of disabilities. We even have a closed channel for Hao-Fountain / USP7 families. Click here to join: discord.gg/7UFUPAFs8K

I like pickles. Pickled things of all sorts, but definitely your standard dill pickles in the jar. Key phrase being: in the jar.

Fun with Tess and hyperphagia. 

Stronger Every Day is sponsored by The Disorder Channel. It's dedicated to rare diseases and other types of disabilities. Over 100 film and video titles, including a few video versions of this podcast. Available for free right now on Roku and Amazon Fire TV. The Disorder Channel. The most rare stories in the world. https://www.thedisordercollection.com/

Are you on our Discord server RARE & RELATABLE? It's a 24/7 chatroom for people dealing with rare diseases and other types of disabilities. We even have a closed channel for Hao-Fountain / USP7 families. Click here to join: discord.gg/7UFUPAFs8K

This is your captain speaking. We're gonna be cruising at 35,000 feet here. I note that today we're happy to welcome aboard Miss Tess Bigelow. She's been seated in a snacks and videos row.

Our trip to Germany is coming up. Number of times Tess has left the United States:  0. 

Stronger Every Day is sponsored by The Disorder Channel. It's dedicated to rare diseases and other types of disabilities. Over 100 film and video titles, including a few video versions of this podcast. Available for free right now on Roku and Amazon Fire TV. The Disorder Channel. The most rare stories in the world. https://www.thedisordercollection.com/

Are you on our Discord server RARE & RELATABLE? It's a 24/7 chatroom for people dealing with rare diseases and other types of disabilities. We even have a closed channel for Hao-Fountain / USP7 families. Click here to join: discord.gg/7UFUPAFs8K