For her entire life, dentists told Finlay she would have to wait till adulthood to get treatment for her missing teeth. They didn’t seem to understand how having missing and misshapen teeth was affecting her. Find out what her frustrated parents did to get her treatment and how this experience has impacted the teenager’s outlook.
Committed Advocates Inspire Action in the Senate
With about six weeks left in the 117th session of Congress, the mood on Capitol Hill feels hopeful and positive for getting the Ensuring Lasting Smiles Act (ELSA) passed! Team ELSA participated in our third virtual Advocacy Day this year. Find out where things stand on the bill and how you can help.
What I Want for My Grandchildren With Ectodermal Dysplasias
Sandi Hirst is a grandma who is passionately advocating for the three generations in her family who are affected by x-linked hypohidrotic ectodermal dysplasia. She doesn’t want her daughters to have to pay six figures for her grandsons’ dental care. Read this month’s Volunteer Spotlight to find out what she’s doing to help advance the Ensuring Lasting Smiles Act and why.
How Powerful Storytelling Could Make ELSA a Law
We have the most amazing Ensuring Lasting Smiles Act (ELSA) advocates! Our contacts on Capitol Hill tell us that the reason the bill has garnered incredible support in a short amount of time is because of our grassroots efforts. It’s because families affected by congenital anomalies bravely share their personal stories with Congress. That’s exactly what happened again on Tuesday, June 21 when 314 advocates met with 49 U.S. Senate offices for the National Foundation for Ectodermal Dysplasias (NFED) Virtual Advocacy Day with the Senate.
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.
Our NFED volunteers light the way!
Whenever the NFED has a need, our volunteers step forward and help. We want to let you know that your dedication and inspiration is essential to the work that we do—we simply cannot do it without you. THANK YOU!
Big News in the House for ELSA
Families affected by congenital anomalies are closer to getting health insurance benefits for the medical and health treatment they need. Our bill to mandate such payments took a big leap in the U.S. House of Representatives. Find out what the consensus calendar means and how you can help pass the Ensuring Lasting Smiles Act.
Awareness. Advocacy. Action.
February is upon us, and the National Foundation for Ectodermal Dysplasias (NFED) has a lot going on! In honor of Ectodermal Dysplasias Awareness Month (EDAM), please help us spread the word about these rare conditions and join us in raising up this incredible community through research, advocacy and more.