National MPS Society: Our Voices

We explore the unique lives and work of our community's leaders, professionals, and inspirational members--conversations about the challenges, courage, and dedication that are pillars of this community. We share new perspectives, insights, and knowledge about the rare disease that impacts our daily lives and guides our individual journeys. The National MPS Society exists to cure, support and advocate for MPS and ML.

  1. 07/25/2023

    Grief, Legacy, and Hope with Dr. Klane White

    Show Introduction: The host introduces the National MPS Society's Our Voices Podcast for the second season, focusing on unmet needs and areas requiring more MPS and ML community support.Emphasizes the lack of knowledgeable physicians in rare disorders like MPS and ML, leading to dismissive attitudes and missed treatment opportunities.Interview Introduction:The host, Jason Madison, introduces Dr. Klane White, a pediatric orthopedic surgeon specializing in skeletal dysplasia, metabolic bone disease, spinal deformity, and genetics.Dr. White is an MPS parent who has navigated the challenges of caring for a child with a rare, life-threatening disease.Interview Topics: Navigating Life and Career with a Child with a Rare Disorder:Dr. White's personal experience and challenges as a parent and surgeon.Balancing care for the child's specialized needs and managing personal and professional life.Supporting Non-Affected Siblings:Addressing the concerns of overshadowing and ensuring a sense of individuality and involvement for non-affected siblings.Utilizing support from friends, family, and the community to help provide attention and engagement for non-affected siblings.Dealing with Grief and Honoring the Legacy:Coping with the loss of a child with a rare disorder and the grief process.Keeping memories alive and celebrating the child's life through rituals, commemorations, and ongoing remembrance.Establishing a foundation or initiative to give back in the child's name, supporting other children with chronic, life-threatening diseases.Conclusion:Expressing gratitude for the support received from the MPS community and emphasizing the importance of reaching out for help.Highlighting the power of connections formed with other families and professionals during the journey.Encouraging listeners to cherish and remember the lives of their loved ones and find meaningful ways to honor their legacies

    26 min
  2. 06/26/2023

    The Journey of a Biochemical Genetic Fellow with Mary Kate LoPiccolo

    The focus of the second season: Unmet needs and areas requiring more support in the MPS and ML communityGoal: Explore resources, provide guidance, and start conversations about meeting these needsGuest: Dr. Mary Kate LoPiccolo, Medical Biochemical Genetics Fellow.Discussion on the lack of specialized genetic doctors and researchers in regional healthcare networks and the challenges of replacing retiring or relocating specialistsDr. Mary Kate's educational path: Four years of medical school, followed by specialization in pediatrics, then two years of medical genetics training, and one year of biochemical, genetic-specific trainingBiochemical genetics: Deals with genetic disorders affecting metabolism and biochemistry, such as MPS and MLDr. Mary Kate's interest in rare diseases and the experience that led her to biochemical geneticsLimited emphasis on biochemical genetics during medical schoolDr. Mary Kate's first patient encounter in the pediatric genetics clinic, working with a family transitioning care for a child with severe MPS IIChallenges faced by the family in accessing services and support in a rural areaRole of fellows in patient care, working under the supervision of attending physiciansImportance of open communication between families and healthcare professionalsLearning to deliver difficult news with empathy and gauging family expectationsEmphasis on being straightforward and honest with families, even when delivering challenging newsInsights into the field of biochemical genetics, the journey to becoming a specialist, and the dedication required to provide optimal care and support to patients and families.

    36 min
  3. 02/28/2023

    Making a Difference with Mark Dant

    Stephanie Cozine introduces Mark Dant as the founder and volunteer executive director of the Ryan Foundation, and former board chair of the Every Life Foundation for Rare Diseases, and former president and CEO of the National NPS Society.Mark and his wife founded the Ryan Foundation in 1992 after their son, Ryan, was diagnosed with MPS I.The Ryan Foundation has funded millions in research and was instrumental in the development of Aldurazyme, the first and only FDA approved drug for the treatment of MPS I.Mark and his family have been key advocates and successfully championed the passing of the Ryan Dan Healthcare Opportunity Act in the US House of Representatives in 2009.Mark is a former police officer and retired as an Assistant Chief of Police in 2016, and now spends his time volunteering for the Ryan Foundation and other rare disease nonprofits.Stephanie and Mark talk about his experience as a parent of a child with MPS and the journey of advocacy and research.Mark explains how times were different when Ryan was diagnosed, with no biotech companies, limited research, and no hope.Mark shares how he learned about the disease and did research through library visits and phone calls, and how he eventually found a rare disease conference in Denver.Mark remembers a specific moment at the conference when he realized the urgency to change the situation for children with rare diseases.The Ryan Foundation The  National MPS Society exists to cure, support, and advocate for MPS and ML. If you like Our Voices, visit our website and follow us on social media on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and LinkedIn. And if you like the podcast, we'd appreciate you telling a friend (maybe even two).

    33 min
  4. 11/29/2022

    A University Experience of Unnecessary Obstacles

    In this episode:  At 18 months of age, Olivia was diagnosed with Hurler Syndrome (MPS IH). She has always been an overcoming and has overcome every obstacle in her path, and now at 18 years old, she has the opportunity to go to college. Today we talk about Olivia's first semester at college and her being a trailblazer. And her parents' experience being advocates for not only her life but her career.We talk about Olivia's high school experience and the joyful experience of getting into Mississippi State University.After falling in love with interior design after an elective in high school, she decided to go to Mississippi State University because their motto is "Family," and they take care of their students.Facing physical challenges in the classroom and after meeting with the disability resource center, Olivia started to fall behind because of a lack of accommodations."I've been fighting for her life for 18 years, I never thought I would have to fight for her career." Jamie.After a frustrating meeting where Olivia was treated unfairly by college officials, Olivia left the meeting and called her parents and could not articulate what was happening. Her dad got in the car and started driving to the University. A parent's worst nightmare.   Let Olivia know that she is not alone in this fight, use the hashtag #WriteForOlivia to encourage her. The  National MPS Society exists to cure, support, and advocate for MPS and ML. If you like Our Voices, visit our website and follow us on social media on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and LinkedIn. And if you like the podcast, we'd appreciate you telling a friend (maybe even two).

    40 min
  5. Under the Hurdles with Sheri Wise

    10/25/2022

    Under the Hurdles with Sheri Wise

    In this episode: Sheri Wise is a current member of the Society's board of directors.We discuss how great it is that there are more and more diagnoses in newborns and infants, but for us, it was later diagnosis and longer diagnostic journeys."There wasn't much information about MPS before the internet, which was probably a good thing." ~ Sheri WiseSheri was told she would live to 6 or maybe ten years old.Sheri grew up on a farm in rural Oklahoma, and Sheri remembers always wanting to go and do what others were doing, riding horses, going to the lake, etc.We talk about the life-changing event when we both were offered our first infusions.We discuss the frustration of boarding a new doctor when you have a rare disease, the learning curve required for them, and how you must advocate for yourself with doctors.From driving to dating, we discuss some challenges unique to being an adult with a disease largely treated by pediatricians. "You just have to prepare for the things you know are coming. Be the best you can. And take one day at a time. And there's nothing wrong with that." ~ SheriWe talk about our hopes for newborn screening and how it will affect those diagnosed in the future. The  National MPS Society exists to cure, support, and advocate for MPS and ML. If you like Our Voices, visit our website and follow us on social media on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and LinkedIn. And if you like the podcast, we'd appreciate you telling a friend (maybe even two).

    39 min
5
out of 5
19 Ratings

About

We explore the unique lives and work of our community's leaders, professionals, and inspirational members--conversations about the challenges, courage, and dedication that are pillars of this community. We share new perspectives, insights, and knowledge about the rare disease that impacts our daily lives and guides our individual journeys. The National MPS Society exists to cure, support and advocate for MPS and ML.

More From Podcast Cary