Why Does it Feel Like I’m Feeding her to the Wolves

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Opening the doors

The drive was mostly quiet except for my pounding heart beat. I looked over at Raquel in the passenger seat as she twiddled her thumbs. I felt like I could break at any moment, the nerves were getting to me. I wondered how Raquel felt? Was she ready? I sure wasn’t.

Today was the first day of school. I already sent my eldest daughters, Merry and Lauren to high school. Lauren is a Freshman and Merry is a Junior. They had each other, so I knew they’d be alright, and Merry was already the well-known, popular, star-studded upperclassman. Raquel had no one except for the student aid she was assigned for the first week of classes.

An Anxiety Attack When Meeting the Wolf Pack

My anxiety was at an all time high. When we pulled up to the school and I dropped her off, I noticed the teacher that was waiting to accompany Raquel to her locker. I watched her as she walked away, fearing a sudden misstep or trip over something she couldn’t see, even a small pebble. I tried to curb my nerves, but my heart dropped with every step.

I wanted so fiercely for Raquel to be accepted. After all, she is my baby cub, and I couldn’t bare the thought of her being eaten alive. Sending you daughter who can barely see five feet in front of her into the den of hundreds of crazed pre-teens is like eating cold soup; It leaves a bit of a sour taste in your mouth.  

Diagnosing Disaster

The air was cold around me. It was probably just my body reacting to Raquel’s absence. I wanted to hold her hand as she walked through the halls. I wanted to hug her and make sure she was okay. I wanted to be there to scold any child that looked at her like she was different. I knew I had to relinquish my leash. I couldn’t be there to guide her through life in some aspects, and I knew she had to make it on her own. She is growing up, and I think that’s what I fear the most.

Good Fortune

Hours later when Raquel got back in the car, I asked her, “How was your day sweetie?” My heart was racing with the fear of the unknown. I hoped that nothing happened to her. I was trying to hide my worry, but I couldn’t bare the thought of her Wolfram syndrome deterring her happiness. It’s all a mother could want for her child. When Raquel looked at me, I didn’t see the same blank nervousness, but the glint of a smile. “I made a new friend,” she said. With that, I finally was at ease.

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August 2016 Elimination Dinner in Greensboro-Monongahela Township

Caitlin Fess is a beautiful young lady who has Wolfram syndrome and isn’t afraid to talk about her disease and spread awareness.

The Snow Foundation wants to thank Caitlin’s mother Dena, her father Brad, and the rest of the Fess Family for putting together the Elimination Dinner Event. They raised over $6,000 at the event for the Snow Foundation. We are extremely grateful to the families and their friends who are helping make a difference.  We are nothing without all of you.

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2016 “Eat Drink Give” The Snow Foundation Annual Fundraiser

Eat Drink Give Fundraiser
The Snow Foundation’s event Eat Drink Give, on May 14th, 2016, was a special evening which raised awareness and funds for Wolfram Syndrome Research. The festivities began at 6:30pm on the beautiful grounds of Grant’s Farm in the historic Bauernhoff and Carriage house. Attendees enjoyed a wonderful barbecue, cocktails, beer tasting, and great music by Dance Floor Riot. KMOV Channel 4 Steve Savard was the emcee for the evening and interviewed Raquel Gebel (11) and Lauren Gibilisco (29) who both suffer from Wolfram Syndrome.  The event was a success, raising close to $90,000, which will be used to find a life changing treatment for those who suffer from Wolfram Syndrome.

 

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Team Alejandro’s 6th Annual Run to Beat Wolfram Syndrome!

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On Sunday, March 20, 2016, Team Alejandro participated in The Oakland Running Festival in their 6th Annual Run to Beat Wolfram Syndrome! Team Alejandro ran in support of 12 year-old Alejandro Jimenez (a Wolfram Syndrome Patient) as well as all children and young adults affected by Wolfram Syndrome.  They successfully raised $12,374.00 which will help The Snow Foundation increase awareness of Wolfram Syndrome and find a cure.

 

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My Wolfram Syndrome symptoms – Lauren Gibilisco

Hello everyone. My Botox surgery was a success. I am happy to report that I am getting up only two or three times a night instead of every hour. I don’t feel as tired anymore through out the day.  This has made me feel so much better. I am able to drink a lot more and hold a lot more than every before. This gives me a lot more energy so I can talk a lot more which is just what my mom needs. LOL.

I was also able to go back to my volunteer job this week where I shred paper. Who better to shred confidential papers than someone who can’t see anything on them. ha-ha. I’ve had this job since high school which I really enjoy.  The people there treat me like anyone else. They don’t pity me. In fact quite the opposite. They love to give me a hard time and tease me. It’s hard to know who is getting more harassed, them or me. My mouth is the only part of me that is not affected by WS.

I should back up and tell you a little about me. I am affected by all aspects of DIDMOAD. DI (DIABETES INSIPIDUS), DM (DIABETES MELLITUS), OA (OPTIC ATROPHY, D (DEAFNESS). I am legally blind and use a cane to get around. I wear hearing aids for high frequency hearing loss. I was diagnosed with Diabetes Mellitus when I was two years old and take insulin shots. The Diabetes Insipidus is controlled by medication. I take 20 prescription pills every day to control my WS. I was diagnosed with WS when I was 12. I have other symptoms but I will talk about them another day.

Have a great week everyone.

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A little worried? I feel lucky. – Adam Zwan

 

Wolfram syndrome patient Adam Zwan and family at Christmas time

The Zwan family celebrating Christmas with their festive holiday sweaters.

A Little Worried?

I feel lucky to have a family that loves me as much as they do but like everything in life there are some consequences. Before being diagnosed with diabetes and then Wolfram Syndrome, I could visit family members and make it an enjoyable event. I still enjoy seeing family but my presence has changed from a pleasant visit to a worrisome task.

In previous years I would pay visits to parts of the family and there would be lots of food, fun, and laughter. In the past few years I have felt guilty for creating so much fear and worry that I think twice before packing a bag to stay the weekend at someone’s house. The fear and worry that I speak of is due to my health and its complications creating this mindset of “I hope nothing goes wrong while he’s here.” My visiting experiences are filled with “can Adam eat this?, has Adam ate enough?, is Adam in pain?, does Adam need to go home early?, Lord I hope nothing happens while Adam is here.” I have had one or two issues with glucose levels during the evening that no longer occur but each time I stay somewhere my family is adamant when using a baby monitor and or sleeping on the sofa next to me just to make sure nothing occurs while sleeping.

I am very thankful to have a family love me as much as I do but pleasant experiences have certainly changed due to Wolfram Syndrome. When I get the feeling that I am a fly in the ointment and not a pleasant visitor I just grit my teeth and say that it could be worse so accept it and count my blessings. I try to stay optimistic by hoping and praying that something will change for the better in the near future.

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Adam Zwan was featured by WCET News

In January 2013, Adam Zwan was featured by the NBC affiliate in his hometown of Wilmington, North Carolina, WCET News.

The story was to show what it is like for Adam to live  with Wolfram syndrome. That night, Adam began to experience severe abdominal pain and was rushed to the hospital where he remained for a week. Despite the delay from Adam’s hospital stay, the news team came back to finish their story. Here is the five minute video on our good friend, Adam Zwan, where you can see for yourself the courage and spirit Adam exudes every day.
Read more

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How to slow Wolfram Syndrome progression? – Adam Zwan

How to slow Wolfram Syndrome progression?

Steps toward a cure for diabetes and Wolfram Syndrome are being made and successful results are occurring in scientific research. The treatments are not yet available for Wolfram patients so it’s wise to attempt slowing Wolfram progression until treatments are available. In addition to being a Wolfram patient I am also a huge advocate for correcting one’s health on one’s own without the use of prescriptions.
Read more

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You Never Know Who’s Listening

wolfram syndrome diabetes panelI received a great email today from a mother who teaches 4th grade PSR (Parish School of Religion) at our church St. Clare of Assisi.

She told me that at the end of their Monday night class, they around the room and each child will pray for someone or something important to them. She said one little guy in particular wanted to pray for a classmate who had diabetes and that he hopes we find a cure soon because he does not want her to hurt anymore. The classmate he was referring to was my daughter, Raquel. When I read this email, it touched my heart and brought a smile to my face. The hardest audience I have ever spoken in front of, (600 elementary children), actually understood what I had said to them during our Diabetes Awareness Month assembly at Babler Elementary. It warmed my heart that this little boy had comprehended that one of his classmates is struggling with her health. It was worth it and if I had to speak to a million elementary school kids…I would! It goes to show you that if we all try and spread the word about Wolfram syndrome, we just might raise enough awareness and support for the research that will one day revolutionize the diabetic world and save the life of my daughter and others like her who are living with this horrific disease.  In the meantime, I’ll keep working and sharing our message because you never know who’s listening.

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Great Changes Are Coming

I have always had great intuition (good or bad), ask my friends and family! The Snow Foundation has hired a new President and CEO, Dr. Saad Naseer, who is driven and ready to make our dreams become reality. The foundation is finally receiving the full time attention and direction it deserves, which means Wolfram syndrome patients are going to get the help and their prayers answered.   I am excited to spread the word and I mean really spread the word and I am more excited that Snow Foundation has the leadership to make it happen. My prayers have been answered and I am grateful. This year is going to be revolutionary, great changes are coming.

 

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