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When individuals or families affected by ectodermal dysplasia contact the NFED for the first time, they often want to speak to another affected family in their area. We created the Family to Family Network in 2006 to meet that need. It is designed to provide a family-to-family connection in addition to staff support. Volunteer representatives in the Family to Family Network are called Family Liaisons. They are either affected by an ectodermal dysplasia or are the parent of an affected child.

Liaisons serve families in the following ways:

  • They provide a route of communication for families in their region.
  • They are familiar with Foundation programs and can provide useful information.
  • They are willing to listen and share their own experiences with ectodermal dysplasia .
  • They maintain a library of resource tools provided by the NFED (i.e. publications, guides, articles and national organizations specializing in care for individuals with special needs) to help answer your questions.
  • They assist with awareness and fundraising efforts and organize events in their area when possible.

We would like to have a Family Liaison for each region in the country. If you are interested in serving as a Liaison to the NFED community, contact Kelley Atchison, Director of Family Support and Outreach.

We invite you to contact the Family Liaison in your area. They would love to talk to you. Meet the liaison for your area:

Liaisons

Claeys
Julie Claeys
Coopersville, Michigan

Julie is the liaison for the Midwest Region. She lives near Grand Rapids, Michigan with her husband, Craig, 12-year-old Carver, and 2-year-old daughter, Maria. Carver was diagnosed with hypohydrotic ectodermal dysplasia at four months old. Julie says, “We have found no better resource than the NFED to support our needs. I can send you much information I have acquired while dealing with issues of ED for the past 12 years. Hopefully we can plan regional meetings for us all to gather and discuss issues and offer support. The children can meet each other too! I know it always means a lot to our son to be with others whom share the same differences. We all started in the same spot you are in now and remember it well. I look forward to hearing from you and welcome your e-mail. We are Family.
jclaeys@charter.net
Find on Face Book as: Julie McGuire Claeys

Huxman
DeAnn Huxman
Moundridge, Kansas

DeAnn lives in Moundridge, Kansas with her husband Chris, and sons Ryan (age 7), Tyler (age 5), and Andrew (age 1). Tyler was diagnosed at birth as being affected by Ectrodactyly-Ectodermal Dysplasia-Clefting syndrome or EEC syndrome. DeAnn believes that asking questions and being able to talk to someone who has “been there” is one of the most valuable things you can do to acquire a support network. With the NFED, she says “we all end up being a part of the same “family”. DeAnn wants to help make your experience with the NFED a great one.
cdrthux@mtelco.net
Find on Face Book as: DeAnn Huxman

Johnson
Janet Johnson
Salt Lake City, Utah

Janet lives in Salt Lake City, Utah with her husband, Russell, and their two sons, Taylor and Alex. Alex was almost one year old when he was officially diagnosed with hypohydrotic ectodermal dysplasia. Janet says, “The NFED can empower doctors who have never cared for a child with ED. It also helped me educate and inform our school and teachers about Alex. You also get a support group that can be of great help and comfort to you.” She looks forward to hearing from families in her region. Contact Janet.
tayalnes@hotmail.com

Kriz
Jack Kriz
Newberg, Oregon

Jack is the family liaison for the Pacific Northwest, where he lives with his wife, Paula and daughter, Delany. He is affected by Ectrodactyly-Ecotdermal Dysplasia-Clefting (EEC) syndrome. Jack believes “the most important thing the NFED provides is person to person support. Beyond the technical medical jargon what most people crave is seeing, talking to and becoming friends with other affected people and their families.” Jack encourages you to contact him as a resource and ask him any question, even personal ones about his own ED experiences. If you just need to talk to someone “who’s been there” and is living there still.
jackNFED@verizon.net
Find on Face Book as: Jack Kriz

Olsen
Dee Dee Olsen
Port Washington, New York

Dee Dee Olsen lives on Long Island, New York. She and her husband, Alan, have three children. Their middle child, Jade age 6, was born with Focal Dermal Hyperplasia (also called Goltz Syndrome). Prior to her birth, they had never heard of Goltz syndrome or Ectodermal Displaysia and during the pregnancy were completely unaware of her condition. Dee Dee says, “As a family liaison I would love to be of assistance should you need it. I’d love to try and pay forward just a bit of the kind, helpful, and knowledgeable assistance given to me by the NFED.”
dgocsw@verizon.net

Pond
Beth Pond
Hubbardston, Massachusetts

Beth lives in Hubbardston, Massachusetts with her husband, Michael, and three sons. Dylan is 13, Nolan is 12 and Philip is 11. The younger two and Beth’s brother are affected by hypohydrotic ectodermal dysplasia. Beth believes that knowledge is power and you get that when you join the NFED. She is willing to communicate through email or talk on the phone and can share regional special needs resources. She’s interested in planning regional gatherings so the children and families can meet each other. Beth says, “The NFED can’t be everywhere but the regional liaisons can. I am excited to be the bridge between Mascoutah, Illinois and the New England States. Please contact me if you would like to talk or email me with any questions you have. I look forward to hearing from you.”
pondboys@charter.net

Pond
Jill Radley
Thatcher, Arizona

Jill lives in Thatcher, Arizona with her husband and their son, Caleb. Jill and their son is affected by Hypohidrotic Ectodermal Dysplasia. Jill says, “As a liaison, I am here to help with a more regional connection to the foundation. I am willing to share my story through emails, phone calls, and letters and provide a listening ear to your story and needs. We may have lots of similar struggles with insurance issues, climate, cooling, and finding care in areas of the country that has facilities very far apart from where we may live. My contact information is below. Please don’t hesitate to reach me. If I don’t have the answer, I will help try to find one. I am looking forward to getting to know you. “
jillnfedliaison@live.com
Find on Face Book as: Jill Jadley

Pond
Lauren Tomberlin
Quincy, Florida

Lauren and her husband, Carl, and their children Langley and Logan live in Quincy, Florida. Lauren and Langley are both affected by hypohidrotic ectodermal dysplasia.  Lauren says, “As a family liaison I am available for a multitude of things, from helping educate doctors and other professionals to helping you gain access to resources to just having a shoulder to lean or an ear to listen.  I look forward to hearing from you.”  Lauren is excited to be the NFED family liaison for your region.
laurenliaisonnfed@yahoo.com
Find on Face Book as: Lauren Plack Tomberlin

Wilson
Russell Wilson
Olive Branch, Mississippi

Russ lives near Memphis, Tennessee with his wife Valerie, and daughters Whitney (age 6), and MaKaylee (6 months). He is affected by hypohydrotic ectodermal dysplasia and his two daughters are carriers. Russ' goal in being a family liaison is to "provide a compassionate experience for all who come into contact with the Foundation.”
Wilson_russ@comcast.net