If you need a boost of inspiration, a bit of laughter, and a lot of intention, listen to our special guest on the Newborn Screening SPOTlight podcast Effie Parks, who transformed her experiences raising a son with a rare disease to helping others by sharing their stories on her podcast, Once Upon a Gene. The best way to describe Effie may be as the rare disease parent’s best friend… and greatest resource!

She was born in Montana, where she was raised with her 12 siblings. After moving to Washington and marrying her husband, they were blessed with the birth of their son, Ford Canon Parks. When she learned that Ford had been born with an extremely rare genetic condition – CTNNB1 syndrome – she immersed herself into the world of advocacy. Now, she is the host of her own podcast, Once Upon a Gene, where she speaks to others about their journey through life with rare disease. Since the launch of the podcast, Once Upon A Gene was awarded “Best In Show Podcast” by WEGO Health. Podcast Magazine recognized Effie as one of the 40 Under 40 Podcasters and she has been nominated for two Champion of Hope awards from Global Genes. Her mission is to learn, lift voices of the community, connect people to resources and to leave this world better than she found it for others in the rare disease world.

Interview Questions:

You are the host of podcast of Once Upon a Gene, where you speak to others about their journey through life with rare disease. Your mission is to learn, lift voices of the community, connect people to resources and to leave this world better than you found it for others in the rare disease world. What inspired you to start your podcast?

1. Your baby was diagnosed with a rare disease called CTNNB1 syndrome. Can you tell us what led to the diagnosis and what happened next?

1. Researchers discovered the genetic testing for CTNNB1 syndrome. While there is no single treatment for CTNNB1 Syndrome, each of the symptoms associated with the syndrome may be treated. Also, CTNNB1 gene is a good candidate for genetic replacement therapy. This exciting to hear the new development and research in treatments. Could you share your process in caregiving to your child with CTNNB1 syndrome? Any advice for new moms?
2. Newborn screening identifies metabolic and genetic disorders at birth. Before your child was diagnosed with CTNNBI, were you aware of newborn screening?
3. What do you think prospective parents should know about newborn screening?
4. You are the host of Once Upon A Gene podcast, can you tell us what inspired to start the podcast?
5. On your Once Upon a Gene blog, you shared that the movie “Back to Future” and especially the main cast member, Michael J. Fox have inspired you. Can you elaborate in what ways to our listeners?
6. What has been going on in your life recently that you expected and didn’t expect?
7. As you know NBSTRN creates tools and resources to help stakeholders to advance newborn screening research. How could NBSTRN and other organizations such as the Rare Diseases Clinical Research Networks supported by the National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences (NCATS) help you and your community to advance rare disease awareness?
8. Where can people go to learn more about you? What can people expect from you next?
9. What is one final thought that you want to leave our listeners with?
10. What does newborn screening research mean to you?