Powering Through Pompe
— Keara Engle

I have always struggled with my weight. In elementary school, I remember visiting a nutritionist and coming up with a diet plan. Over the years, I’ve tried multiple times to implement a diet and exercise regimen, but I could never seem to stick to it. Now, I’m taking things a…

My 7-year-old son, Cayden, started seeing a gastroenterologist (gastrointestinal, or GI, specialist) when he was just a baby. Cayden was diagnosed with infantile-onset Pompe disease when he was 1 month old, becoming the first baby in Pennsylvania to be diagnosed with the condition via newborn screening. After the…

Ever since he was an infant, my son Cayden, who’s now 7, has needed to use orthotic devices. He was diagnosed with infantile-onset Pompe disease via newborn screening, and these devices seem to be common among that community. His journey with orthotic devices started when he was a few…

As summer approaches, I’ve been thinking a lot about whether I want to move my children into a new house. We could use another bedroom, as I have three little boys now, and my youngest, Kylan, who’s 7 months old, will be ready to transition out of my bedroom soon.

The past six months with my newest baby boy, Kylan, have been pure bliss — apart from his acid reflux. For the first three months, Kylan was strictly breastfed. Everything was going well with my supply, and he was getting plenty of milk. However, he was constantly spitting up. Kylan…

Often my columns are concerned about my oldest son’s health, given his rare disease. This week, however, I had reasons to worry about and care for my broader family’s health — including my own. Recently, I had to take a break from writing, as I’ve been dealing with some personal…

For the past two weeks, my children and I have been unable to catch a break from the common cold. It all started with my 6-year-old son, Cayden, who brought home an illness from school. It’s inevitable during cold and flu season, but it sure makes for a miserable experience.

Social media is right at our fingertips. Most adults, teenagers, and even preteens are equipped with cellphones or some other device that can access the internet. While the web can be used for many purposes, one of my favorites to date has been to browse social media for people who…

My 6-year-old son, Cayden, absolutely loves going to school. He’s doing exceptionally well in first grade. A few weeks ago, during routine testing, Cayden received the highest scores in the entire class. I’d be lying if I said I didn’t brag a little to friends and family about the high…

Amid the chaos of the holidays, our family experienced a little more than we bargained for. The day after Christmas, I woke up feeling unwell. My body ached, and as the day went on, I developed a fever with chills. I tried to push through, but by the next day,…

Living in Pennsylvania means having to deal with some pretty brutal winters. We do get to experience all four seasons, which is beautiful, but when the cold weather comes, it can be a bit tricky for some folks to handle. My 6-year-old son, Cayden, has always had a hard time…