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Kaleidoscope: Rare Disease Stories (Kaleidoscope Stories) Kindle Edition

4.9 out of 5 stars 15 ratings

Kaleidoscope Rare Disease Stories is a collection of true, first-person stories from people around the world living with a variety of rare diseases. The writers in this book, like the rare diseases they live with, span all ages, ethnicities, genders, religions, and ability levels.

Each story shares an aspect of their experience: the journey to diagnosis, what they've learned, how they've grown, changed, and connected with others in the rare community, how they embrace life, and more. These rare warriors show strength, courage, creativity, humor, and so much more. They are living proof that even through the darkest of times, through the unthinkable, through the fear -
there is always hope.

Features a Foreword by Karen Duffy Lambros, NY Times best-selling author of
Model Patient, Backbone, and Wise Up.
  • 60 Stories
  • 44 Patient Writers
  • 3 Caregiver Writers
  • 59 Rare Diseases
  • 4 Countries
  • Ages 2 - 76
*Net proceeds from sales of this book will be donated to the National Organization for Rare Disorders (NORD).
Due to its large file size, this book may take longer to download

Editorial Reviews

From the Back Cover

Kaleidoscope Rare Disease Stories brings together stories from four countries, from preteens to seniors, representing 59 different rare diseases. These rare warriors show strength, courage, creativity, humor, and so much more. They are living proof that even through the darkest of times, through the unthinkable, through the fear - there is always hope.

About the Author

Kerry L. Wong is a writer and patient advocate living with arthritis, sarcoidosis, and other comorbid conditions. Though she is disabled due to her own illnesses, she now focuses her energy on raising awareness, advocating for, and supporting people with diseases like hers.

Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B0CTR6WTDK
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Float Like a Buttahfly; 1st edition (February 29, 2024)
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ February 29, 2024
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 18.7 MB
  • Simultaneous device usage ‏ : ‎ Unlimited
  • Text-to-Speech ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Not Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 320 pages
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.9 out of 5 stars 15 ratings

About the author

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Kerry Wong
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Kerry Wong is a writer and patient advocate living with arthritis, sarcoidosis, and other comorbid conditions. Before her life was upended by multiple chronic illnesses, she was dedicated to helping others through both volunteer and non-profit employment endeavors.

After earning a Master’s Degree from the State University of New York at Stony Brook, Kerry taught English at the City University of New York. She moved on from there to work with developmentally and intellectually disabled individuals and later managed fundraising events for a national nonprofit. After becoming disabled due to her own illnesses, she turned her focus towards raising awareness, advocating for, and supporting people with diseases like hers.

Kerry has been a patient ambassador with several organizations and has gone on to do more independently under her own banner, "Float Like a Buttahfly." Before COVID-19, she started a sarcoidosis support group and organized several fundraising and awareness events. In 2023, she co-created a “sarcoidosis family reunion” and plans to do so again in 2024.

Kerry is a regular columnist for Sarcoidosis News (with a column also called “Float Like a Buttahfly”) and occasional co-host of the AiArthritisVoices 360 Talk Show. She is the New York State Advocacy Chair for the Arthritis Foundation and a co-organizer of Dazzle4Rare, a global rare disease awareness campaign. She has shared her patient experience in speaking engagements across the country, in virtual and in-person presentations, and in Effie Koliopoulos’ 2022 book Keeping it Real With Arthritis: Stories From Around the World. Kerry is proudest, however, of helping others recognize the strength and value of their own voices.

Customer reviews

4.9 out of 5 stars
15 global ratings

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Thrilled to share my story about living with a rare disease.
5 out of 5 stars
Thrilled to share my story about living with a rare disease.
This book is exceptional. Author, Kerry Wong is phenomenal! She captures powerful stories and emotions of all of the writers who describe what it’s like living with a rare disease. So many incredible stories all in one book. I have wanted to share my story about what it’s like living with Addison’s disease since childhood and how difficult it was to learn to survive when doctors had no idea how to diagnose or treat it. I had to learn to adapt to a new way of living. Many times, teaching my providers about my disease. I am so thankful that Kerry gave me this opportunity and I hope my stories will inspire others to feel confident to share their experiences and rare diseases. I hope this book will empower others to know that they are not alone in their journey. This book is so important. My friends and family have all purchased copies. I know I have learned so much from the writers in this book! Thank you Kerry Wong!
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Top reviews from the United States

  • Reviewed in the United States on November 7, 2024
    This is axcellent compilation of stories from real people in the Rare Disease Community. Reaing their stories is a great way to gain a rich understanding of the burden of living with a chronic illness. The authro/editor does a great job at selecting the right stories to get the full picture out there.
  • Reviewed in the United States on June 17, 2024
    This book is exceptional. Author, Kerry Wong is phenomenal! She captures powerful stories and emotions of all of the writers who describe what it’s like living with a rare disease. So many incredible stories all in one book. I have wanted to share my story about what it’s like living with Addison’s disease since childhood and how difficult it was to learn to survive when doctors had no idea how to diagnose or treat it. I had to learn to adapt to a new way of living. Many times, teaching my providers about my disease. I am so thankful that Kerry gave me this opportunity and I hope my stories will inspire others to feel confident to share their experiences and rare diseases. I hope this book will empower others to know that they are not alone in their journey. This book is so important. My friends and family have all purchased copies. I know I have learned so much from the writers in this book! Thank you Kerry Wong!
    Customer image
    5.0 out of 5 stars
    Thrilled to share my story about living with a rare disease.

    Reviewed in the United States on June 17, 2024
    This book is exceptional. Author, Kerry Wong is phenomenal! She captures powerful stories and emotions of all of the writers who describe what it’s like living with a rare disease. So many incredible stories all in one book. I have wanted to share my story about what it’s like living with Addison’s disease since childhood and how difficult it was to learn to survive when doctors had no idea how to diagnose or treat it. I had to learn to adapt to a new way of living. Many times, teaching my providers about my disease. I am so thankful that Kerry gave me this opportunity and I hope my stories will inspire others to feel confident to share their experiences and rare diseases. I hope this book will empower others to know that they are not alone in their journey. This book is so important. My friends and family have all purchased copies. I know I have learned so much from the writers in this book! Thank you Kerry Wong!
    Images in this review
    Customer image
  • Reviewed in the United States on April 10, 2024
    I bought several copies so I could give them to my healthcare team. I gave it to a case manager today who immediately said, “This will teach me so much!” She recognized that there are many rare diseases she hasn’t even heard of yet but might encounter someday. This is exactly why I bought the extra copies! This book is an invaluable resource for those of us living with rare diseases, and it’s also an amazing tool to better equip the medical community to empathize with their patients and provide them with the highest quality care.
    One person found this helpful
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  • Reviewed in the United States on March 7, 2024
    Reading through the stories of others shows how even though rare diseases can be so different, the experiences of living with one can have so many similarities. Seeing into the lives of others who also struggle with rare diseases makes you feel less alone and shows you that you are part of a much larger community of people who are all doing their best to get the most out of life, despite many trials and difficulties. I am so grateful that these stories were compiled to share with the world!
    3 people found this helpful
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  • Reviewed in the United States on March 12, 2024
    What an exceptional book created by the fabulous Kerry Wong! I'm honored that I had the opportunity to share a tiny glimpse of my life with my rare disease, PH! I'm inspired and hopeful as I read stories from many other RD warriors in this book! It was a coincidence that I was in the hospital during Rare Disease Day. But I'm grateful my copy of the book arrived at my living and supportive hubby, also my caregiver, brought it to me at the hospital! Thanks for giving me a reason to smile during a traumatic hospitalization.

    Friends, family, healthcare providers, politicians, and everyone can learn something from reading this book. What a phenomenal eye-opening! Kerry, you, my girl, are an inspiration!
    Customer image
    5.0 out of 5 stars
    This is my reality!

    Reviewed in the United States on March 12, 2024
    What an exceptional book created by the fabulous Kerry Wong! I'm honored that I had the opportunity to share a tiny glimpse of my life with my rare disease, PH! I'm inspired and hopeful as I read stories from many other RD warriors in this book! It was a coincidence that I was in the hospital during Rare Disease Day. But I'm grateful my copy of the book arrived at my living and supportive hubby, also my caregiver, brought it to me at the hospital! Thanks for giving me a reason to smile during a traumatic hospitalization.

    Friends, family, healthcare providers, politicians, and everyone can learn something from reading this book. What a phenomenal eye-opening! Kerry, you, my girl, are an inspiration!
    Images in this review
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    2 people found this helpful
    Report
  • Reviewed in the United States on April 11, 2024
    This book is filled with personal and medical details of the individual rare diseases that so many suffer from daily. These personal experiences are so inspirational and can be very educational for those that want to learn more and gain understanding of the life changing effect of diseases. Recommended for friends and family members that have someone in their lives that suffer from a rare disease.
    One person found this helpful
    Report
  • Reviewed in the United States on April 3, 2024
    The stories by the people in this book dealing with rare diseases show their strength and fortitude of how they deal with the many daily and life-long challenges they face. I'm wowed by their coping strategies and how they deal with their conditions. Thanks to the author for pulling these stories together to help educate the public about the challenges of the rare disease community!
    One person found this helpful
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  • Reviewed in the United States on March 7, 2024
    You don't realize how people feel that are battling with a rare disease. In this book they are sharing everyday thoughts from those warriors, struggling to make it through each day.
    Did you know there are over 10,000 rare diseases. 1 of 2 Patients that are Diagnosed with a Rare Disease is a Child.1 in 10 People are Affected by Rare Disease. 3 of 10 Children with a Rare Disease Won’t Live to See Their 5th Birthday. 95% of Rare Diseases Lack an FDA Approved Treatment. 400 Million People Suffer From a Rare Disease Globally.
    Customer image
    5.0 out of 5 stars
    Discover Stories by Rare Disease Patients

    Reviewed in the United States on March 7, 2024
    You don't realize how people feel that are battling with a rare disease. In this book they are sharing everyday thoughts from those warriors, struggling to make it through each day.
    Did you know there are over 10,000 rare diseases. 1 of 2 Patients that are Diagnosed with a Rare Disease is a Child.1 in 10 People are Affected by Rare Disease. 3 of 10 Children with a Rare Disease Won’t Live to See Their 5th Birthday. 95% of Rare Diseases Lack an FDA Approved Treatment. 400 Million People Suffer From a Rare Disease Globally.
    Images in this review
    Customer image
    2 people found this helpful
    Report

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