Our story of parenting our son, Ruben, during his first year is one of instinct and intuition, as we didn’t know until 16 months that Ruben’s collection of features amounted to something called hypohidrotic ectodermal dysplasia (HED). There’s no known ectodermal dysplasia in our families. We’d been asking all the right questions about our fluffy-haired, dry-skinned, hot-bodied babe, but it wasn’t until I mentioned our son’s toothlessness to his older brother’s dentist, that an answer was offered.
Remembering Mary K. Richter With Great Love
Our hearts are heavy. The matriarch of our National Foundation for Ectodermal Dysplasias (NFED) family, Mary K. Richter recently died. We know this has come as a shock for our community. Amidst our profound sadness, join us as we remember this incredible woman.
New Guide to Help With Your HED Baby’s First Year
We’re excited to share with our community a new guide to help families navigate the first year of life for their baby affected by hypohidrotic ectodermal dysplasia (HED). It’s a wonderful resource whether HED runs in your family or you’re brand new to the disorder.
Raising a Strong Daughter with HED
Leah Steenson was worried and scared when her daughter was diagnosed with ectodermal dysplasia but that all changed when she found the NFED. Find out how she’s teaching her happy kindergartener to speak up for herself and explain her condition.
Underrated Basketball Star with HED Excels on the Court
Jacobi Sebock’s killing it on the basketball court and getting attention from the likes of NBA player, Steph Curry. He excelled in both basketball and track his senior year, not letting his inability to sweat hold him back. Watch this All-State athlete dunk and find out the big dreams he has.
Advocacy is Something We Are Meant to Do Together
Morgan Rigsby is the kind of mom who wants to model the behavior she wants her kids to have. That’s why she’s become a passionate advocate for the Ensuring Lasting Smiles Act. In our Volunteer Spotlight, Morgan talks about what volunteering has taught her, how she celebrates the small victories with her son, and why you need to be open to sharing your story.
How to Prepare for and Live Your Best Sweat-Free Life
Marathon runner Adam Viccaro shares his four rules for overcoming challenges – like not sweating – to accomplish more than you ever thought possible.
Forty Years of Driving Ectodermal Dysplasias Research
As we celebrate our 40th anniversary and reflect on the journey to this point, we can say with certainty that no other entity in the world has driven ectodermal dysplasias research more than the National Foundation for Ectodermal Dysplasias (NFED). It’s been our honor to lead. Yet, the gratitude goes to the families who volunteered for studies, the curious researchers who strived to make a difference, and the donors who funded the vision. Let’s look at four decades of advancing research!