ONCE UPON A GENE - EPISODE 198 - Advocating with Heart - Striking the Balance Between Medical Insights and Personal Narratives - A Tribute to Valerie Marie with RING14 Co-Founder Yssa Dean DeWoody
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Yssa Dean DeWoody is an incredible advocate and mom, sharing her journey through the intricate world of rare disease advocacy. She unveils the concept of transitioning between the Valerie side, where medical realities are confronted, and the Marie side, where the personal essence of her daughter shines.
EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS
Can you share about your connection to the rare disease world?
Our journey in the rare disease world started about 18 years ago with the birth of our third daughter, Valerie Marie. At three months old, she started having seizures and she was quickly diagnosed with RING14 Chromosome. We had the opportunity to attend an international family conference and it set us on a path to what it was like to be part of the rare disease community. I was inspired by the research and the idea that I could contribute to the community.
Can you tell us about Valerie Marie and why you're so intentional about differentiating between Valerie and Marie separately?
My daughter's full name is Valerie Marie. My family refers to my daughter as Marie. Doctors always referred to her as Valerie. In time, it personified different aspects of my daughter where Marie was my daughter and her personality, her likes and dislikes. Valerie took on the more clinical presentation of her symptoms. If someone called my daughter Valerie, I knew they knew her in a medical sense and I had to create value around her by informing them who she was as a person.
What is your advice for families who want to share their stories effectively with a balance of objectivity and emotion?
Whether it's at an IEP meeting at your child's school, a fundraising talk, or a speech at a large conference, it's best to start in the emotional realm with a hook that draws people in. Start with a personal story that invites the audience into your world in a personal way. Transition into a more scripted conversation guided by organized thoughts, clear ideas and a clear ask. It helps to have a clear outline in advance and know what you want out of it.
Can you share why you donated Valerie's brain to research and what the potential impact is on the rare disease community?
At a research workshop, several experts emphasized the importance of brain donation in the event of a tragedy. There are so many critical questions with RING Chromosomes that might be answered from Valerie's brain donation. As a leader of the foundation with a heart for research, we chose to honor her life and continue her legacy in a way that could impact the community and inform research strategies.
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