Growing up with ectodermal dysplasia shaped my life in big and small ways—from fan-spray bottles on the playground to navigating dentures and surgeries. With unwavering support from my parents, I learned resilience, confidence, and how to live fully despite challenges. This is my story of strength, humor, and perseverance.
Taking Big Steps Forward: 2025 NFED Family Conference
Nearly 300 attendees, including over 100 first-timers from five countries, gathered in Minneapolis for the 2025 NFED Family Conference. It was a heartwarming reunion filled with laughter, learning, advocacy, and unforgettable moments. Together, we took big steps forward, and left feeling inspired, supported, and filled with hope for what’s ahead.
Pediatric Dermatologist Dedicates 26 Years to the NFED Family
Pediatric dermatologists are hard to find. Fortunately, the NFED has had an excellent one on our team in Dr. Elaine Siegfried. Read how about the impact she’s made and why she thinks the NFED is different than other organizations.
Families Educate 50 Doctors and Students About Their Unique Ectodermal Dysplasias Symptoms
Learning about rare conditions like ectodermal dysplasias in a medical journal article or textbook is certainly valuable for medical professionals. But, getting to meet eight individuals with seven different types of ectodermal dysplasias all in one morning is a unique and extraordinary opportunity! More than 50 dermatology professionals at Saint Louis University got that chance thanks to our families.
Families Educate Medical Professionals
Educating medical professionals about ectodermal dysplasia is an important part of our NFED mission. Families played a critical role by volunteering to share their stories and describe the how the rare condition affects them at a Grand Rounds in Fairfax, Va.
Our Powerful Week of Education
Amazing! Wonderful! Informative! Fantastic! Life-Changing! Educational Empowering! Fun! Fascinating! What word best describes our week in Washington D.C.? They all do! For me, it is hard to really describe the impact that week made on our entire community.