Stories and reflections on life from someone living with PKU.
PKUA STORY FROM
PKU HISTORY"When are you going to treat my child?" Those were the words of a determined mother advocating for her daughter. This is a story from PKU history. It’s about the impact of advocacy as exemplified by the story of Mary and Sheila Jones and their contribution to the treatment of Phenylketonuria (PKU).KEEP READINGPKUA VISION
FOR THE
PKU COMMUNITYThe PKU community is a global movement. It's bigger than us. Something we all belong to. None of us own it. And if we're involved in advocacy, we all serve it. Because ultimately, every individual, every organization—each one of us... Whatever we're doing in one corner of the community can benefit the entire community.PKU STORIESNEWBORN SCREENINGNEWBORN SCREENING
IS A HUMAN RIGHT Newborn screening is a human right. This collection of articles explores the history, function, and moral imperative of the newborn screening system.NBS STORIESRARE DISEASERARE DISEASE LIFE
IS A UNIQUE LIFE Everyone in the rare disease community is fighting a battle. Our individual life experiences aren't the same, but we share a common experience of living with a rare disease. That's why we need each other. We need to hope together.RARE DISEASE STORIESMENTAL HEALTHMENTAL HEALTH
IS HEALTH Mental health is health. Period. Full stop. End of discussion. That's blunt. But I'm tired of the stigma surrounding mental health. People suffer in silence because society tells us that struggling is something to be ashamed of. It's not shameful. It's reality.MENTAL HEALTH STORIES
NEWBORN SCREENINGBOUNDARIES EXIST FOR A REASONPKUWHEN I ALMOST GAVE UP: MY STRUGGLES WITH PKU TREATMENTMENTAL HEALTHCALL ME BOB: A STORY ABOUT DR ROBERT GUTHRIEPKUA STORY FROM PKU HISTORY: "WHEN ARE YOU GOING TO TREAT MY CHILD?"RARE DISEASEADVOCACY IS SOCIAL JUSTICEMENTAL HEALTHMENTAL HEALTH OF
PKU ADVOCATESTOP STORIESPKUMY PKU LIFEThis is Kevin Alexander's story of living with PKU. We all have a story. And when you tell it, you have no idea who will listen. So tell your story. Because everyone matters. Every voice matters. Every story matters. Every person matters.NEWBORN SCREENING"FOR KATY"Newborn screening is a human right. It saves lives. This film, “For Katy” tells the story of a girl born with PKU who did not receive newborn screening at birth. We share the same diagnosis, but have different lives. As long as one child falls through the cracks in the newborn screening—a system that has saved lives but needs constantly improving—we need to keep fighting, speaking, and showing up for those who need help the most.FILMSCONNECT ON INSTAGRAMA MESSAGE FROM KEVIN ALEXANDERWelcome to PKU Journal. On this site you will find a collection of stories and reflections on life from someone living with the rare disease Phenylketonuria (PKU).I've covered many stories throughout my advocacy journey, exploring issues related to PKU, newborn screening, rare disease, and mental health. Over the years, I have produced films, recorded podcasts, and written many articles about this unique lifestyle.I hope something here helps you on your journey.MENTAL HEALTHREGAINING HOPE: MY JOURNEY TO RARE DISEASE ADVOCACYThis is a story about hope. Believing in hope, losing hope, and regaining hope. It's also about mental health. My mental health. I also happen to have a rare disease known as PKU.RARE DISEASEA STORY FROM PKU HISTORYThis is a story from PKU history. It's about the impact of advocacy and the significant role it plays in the advancement of treatments for rare diseases, as exemplified in the story of Mary and Sheila Jones and their contribution to the treatment of Phenylketonuria (PKU).MENTAL HEALTHLEAD FROM THE FRONT: A LEADERSHIP STORY FROM WORLD WAR IIExplore the remarkable leadership lessons drawn from the life of Major Richard Winters, an extraordinary figure from World War II. This story delves into his inspiring qualities and principles that can be applied to everyday life, rare disease advocacy, and personal growth.NEWBORN SCREENING"CALL ME BOB" A STORY ABOUT DR. ROBERT GUTHRIEIn this story, I delve into the life and legacy of Dr. Robert Guthrie, a pioneering figure in newborn screening. Guthrie's groundbreaking work in developing the bloodspot test for newborn screening has saved countless lives and continues to impact the world today.SPOTLIGHTA CONVERSATION ABOUT RARE DISEASE STORYTELLINGMENTAL HEALTHTHE NEWBORN SCREENING SYSTEM: A PUBLIC HEALTH LEGACYPKUBE A HEALING PRESENCENEWBORN SCREENINGNEWBORN SCREENING SAVES LIVES: A CALL TO ACTIONNEWBORN SCREENINGWHEN I ALMOST GAVE UP: MY STRUGGLES WITH PKU TREATMENTMENTAL HEALTHNEWBORN SCREENING IS A HUMAN RIGHTPKUTHE EMOTIONAL TOLL OF RARE DISEASE ADVOCACYNEWBORN SCREENINGADVOCACY IS SOCIAL JUSTICERARE DISEASEARCHIVES