Powering Through Pompe – a Column by Keara Engle

Keara is located in south-central Pennsylvania and has lived there her whole life. Keara is a single mother to a little boy with Pompe disease who was born in 2018. She hopes that her column, “Powering Through Pompe,” will bring comfort to those that are also dealing with Pompe disease. She remembers how scary it was when her son was first diagnosed and wants to help guide others through their journey. Keara is excited for this opportunity and is proud to be working with this site’s publisher, BioNews.

Unable to Speak, My Son Uses Nonverbal Communication

My 3-year-old son, Cayden, is nonverbal, which presents some communication challenges. But it isn’t the end of the world, because there are many different forms of nonverbal communication that can be used when someone is unable to speak. Cayden has infantile-onset Pompe disease, which has caused…

Doctors Need Medical Advice Sometimes, Too

I often have to explain my son Cayden’s rare disease to medical professionals. But sometimes, they need more help than I can offer. While my knowledge of Pompe disease is pretty advanced, there are some questions I just don’t have answers to.  Cayden, 3, has been…

Missing Holidays Due to Hospitalizations Takes Its Toll

The holiday season is upon us again, which has me thinking about the many times in the past couple years that my 3-year-old son, Cayden, and I have missed holidays due to emergencies. Cayden has infantile-onset Pompe disease, which has landed us in the hospital more times than I care…

An Illness Doesn’t Have to Be Visible to Be Real

A rare disease is not always visible. Just because someone may look “fine” on the outside doesn’t mean that they don’t have struggles they face daily because of their disease. Pompe disease is one of those diseases. Pompe disease can onset any time throughout a person’s…

Watching My Son Go Into Respiratory Arrest Was Terrifying

Last week, I experienced every parent’s worst nightmare. When my 3-year-old son, Cayden, woke up the other day, I noticed he was coughing a lot more than usual. I prepared to do what we do every morning: remove his BiPAP machine and deliver his breathing treatments, which consist of…

Not Everyone Can Eat Holiday Meals

Thanksgiving and Christmas are often associated with two things: food and family. But what about those who can’t eat? My 3-year-old son, Cayden, is picking up on the fact that he cannot eat orally. With the holiday season just around the corner, I’m worried about how this will affect him.

Recognizing My Son for His Abilities, Not His Disabilities

Oftentimes, a person with a rare disease may struggle with day-to-day activities such as walking, talking, eating, and getting dressed. This is the case for my 3-year-old son, Cayden. At the young age of 1 month, Cayden was diagnosed with a very rare genetic disease known as infantile-onset Pompe…

Making Hard Decisions for My Child With a Rare Disease

Although my 3-year-old son, Cayden, loves preschool, I had to make a tough decision not to send him for a while. We have officially entered cold and flu season. While most parents don’t look forward to this time of year, it’s especially terrifying for me. Cayden’s infantile-onset Pompe disease…