Standing in front of my kitchen sink in the cold, blue, January dawn, I run the warm water to wipe off my son’s face before he heads off to high school. The washcloth steams visibly in the frigid morning air as I carefully wipe off Benny’s face, getting off any traces of breakfast or sleepy eyes. He turns 15 in a week. I realize that I have to reach up to wipe off his face. He’s now taller than I am. I’m struck by the poignancy of this moment. Continue reading
The Association for Creatine Deficiencies (ACD) welcomes Dr. Ton DeGrauw as part of the Scientific Medical Advisory Board (SMAB)! Dr. DeGrauw joins Dr. Longo, Dr. Andrews, Dr, Barshop, Dr. Chan, Dr. Morita, Dr. Salomons, Dr. Schulze, Dr. Skelton, Dr. Stockler, and Dr. Young as advocates for Cerebral Creatine Deficiency Syndromes (CCDS). Continue reading
Over-protective. Controlling. Helicopter Mom. Whatever you call it, that’s who I am. I’ve been this way since my first child was born in 1991. If I could have wrapped all three of my children in bubble wrap and locked them in the basement until they were 30, I would have. And yet, I haven’t been able to protect my most vulnerable child from exploitation and abuse. Continue reading
Watching the videos that are posted from the conference brings back the excitement and all the feels from being at the Symposium, surrounded by a community of families, kiddos, medical professionals, researchers, and pharma companies with one thing in common: a vested interest in Cerebral Creatine Deficiency Syndromes. Continue reading
Immediately following Caiden’s birth, we knew he was facing many struggles. We had a lot to learn. We had a lot to help him overcome. We had a lot of work. Did I spell that loudly enough? WE HAD A LOT TO LEARN. A LOT OF WORK! Continue reading
When it was decided to do the first ACD Scientific Symposium and Family Conference in Austin, TX 2018, the idea that so many of us would be all together for the first time, brought on a lot of hopes for a successful conference. The idea that we would have the world’s leading experts in creatine deficiencies, communicating in the same room, and then to be surrounded by CCDS parents and their children that I feel like I’ve known for years, and yet had never met, was incredibly special. We were all excited. This was going to be an amazing opportunity. What could we do with this meeting to really capture it? After all, we thought that we may not have another opportunity like this for years. The answer was clear: A video! Continue reading
Super Bowl Sunday marks two years since we officially received Cadman’s diagnosis. It was so strange answering an unexpected phone call from the neurologist while watching the Super Bowl, and immediately concerning. Just a couple of weeks prior, we also found out that I was pregnant with our second child, Emma, who is now 16 months old and the most delightful addition to our family. My husband Dan and I had been seeking answers for some unexplained concerning issues going on with Cadman for almost a year, and finally, the answer was found through the Whole Exome genetic test which the neurologist reluctantly ordered. The test results came in that Sunday a few months after Dan, Cadman and I did the blood work at Rady Children’s Hospital in San Diego, and the neurologist wasted no time in reaching out to inform us of the very unexpected results. It was an expensive test and one that apparently doctors don’t usually order until lots and lots of other tests have been completed and provided no answers. Continue reading
Every kid dreams of growing up to be a superhero. I can remember running through the house pretending to be everyone from the Incredible Hulk to Superman, and who didn’t dream of shooting webs like Spiderman? Well, fast-forward a good number of years and unfortunately, I am still not a superhero. I don’t think any child ever has a single moment in which they realize that they probably won’t grow up to be a superhero, rather it is a slow transition from what could be to what really is. Right now, you are probably hoping that I have some kind of point I am trying to make with all of this, and I promise I do, just bear with me. Continue reading
The ACD Conference held in Austin, TX in July 2018 was truly a wonderful experience and opportunity for so many of us in the CCDS community. While we were not able to attend, we were given the opportunity to view the presentation and slides as presented by renowned GAMT expert, Dr. Andreas Schulze. Continue reading
Disclaimer: All thoughts and ideas expressed in the Creatine Community Blog represent the individual blog contributor's opinions and not those of the Association for Creatine Deficiencies. The ideas expressed in the Creatine Community Blog, and any other locations on the creatineinfo.org website, should never be construed as medical advice, even if the information relates to actual health care experiences of the contributor. Individuals should always follow the instructions of their physician and make no changes to their care unless instructed to do so by their physician.
