Rare Diseases, KMSK Knowledge Platform, www.kmsk.ch

Exchange with
affected families
Exchange with affected families

Many challenges you face as a family member of children with special needs are disconnected from the actual diagnosis or condition.

This is precisely why it is important for affected families to exchange ideas and provide each other with support, stability and strength. Those affected often know best how to deal with a challenging situation and know important tips and tricks.


Information on the disclaimer

Important notes

Note 1: Exchange information with other affected parents

Most of the time there are other families who are affected by the same fate whether in Switzerland or in other countries. Often parents are often organized in patient organizations, associations or self-help organized. This can be specific to one disease or as in our case in the support association disease-unspecific. Look for such Points of contactbecause it is usually very uplifting when you know that you are not alone. An exchange can also be be supportive and helpful even if the children are not affected by the same Affected by the same disease. Note: On social media such as Facebook you can find many closed groups (in Switzerland and abroad) on an unbelievably large number of many topics that allow uncomplicated exchange. If you add a You will find like-minded people with a little luck.

Note 2: Attends trainings for families of children with rare diseases

Children's hospitals regularly provide education for families of Children with rare diseases. These trainings offer a good To stay up to date with the latest medical developments and at the same time with specialists and other people affected by the disease. Find out the websites or contact the social services of the children's Children's Hospitals for more information.

Note 3: Helplines for rare diseases

Some (children's) hospitals offer a helpline for rare diseases. The helpline is aimed at children and adults and provides support in finding help Search for help.

Primarily, it is intended to serve as a guide and help, and specialists as well as possible self-help groups and patient organizations Patient organizations.

The focus here is not yet on concrete In the foreground.

Important questions

What patient organizations and support groups are there?

Under the tile Contact points you can search for an organization for patients that corresponds to the clinical picture or diagnosis of your child or is or is cross-disease. Often there are Support groups or discussion groups. And also independently support groups and associations are listed under this tile, which link affected network affected families without the need for a diagnosis. The Exchange can also help detached from the specific diagnosis. Many self-help groups also have online offerings.

Here it can also be worthwhile, for example, in Germany (e.g., the Alliance Of Chronic Rare Diseases (ACHSE) e.V.) or Austria (e.g. Forum for rare diseases).

Self Help Switzerland

The Swiss Self-Help Foundation is committed to strengthening the self-help community and lists a wide range of self-help Diseases" and lists a wide range of self-help groups.

What online forums and chats are there where an exchange between affected families is possible?

Cuore matto

Cuore Matto offers an online social on the second Tuesday of every month for teens and adults with congenital heart disease.

Interesting links

Online regulars' table

Cystic Fibrosis Switzerland

Cystic Fibrosis Switzerland offers chats on different topics to exchange information with other patients (e.g. lung transplant chat, CF without new medication, different regional groups).

The other child

"The Other Child" is an open chat forum for parents of children with special needs. Here, concerned parents can ask their Ask questions, but also share important tips and tricks, and thus offer each other a hand.

Interesting links

Chat forum

EnableMe

In this forum, questions can be asked anonymously, discussions can be held with other members, or advice can be sought from professionals.

Interesting Links

Community Forum

Epi-Suisse

My.EpiCoach, the platform of epi suisse, provides contact persons for the between people with epilepsy, parents and relatives. Affected and relatives who have already gathered a wealth of experience are are available as epilepsy coaches for other people with epilepsy and their relatives and answer individual questions.

Support association for children with rare diseases

FORUM - Information to follow

HPS Switzerland

To enable those affected to exchange information, HPS Switzerland has opened a WhatsApp group called "Sprechstunde". They have also created a Facebook group called "HPS Community".

KiDS-22q11

KiDS-22q11 organizes a youth meeting online every Friday for affected youth.

Interesting links:

Open youth meeting online

Cancer League

In the online cancer forum, those affected and those close to them exchange and share their experiences and knowledge. In the expert consultation hour, questions can questions can be put directly to experts.

Marfan Foundation Switzerland

The Marfan Foundation organizes coffee get-togethers so that Affected persons can exchange information.

Interesting links

Coffee meeting

REHAkids

REHAkids is a forum for families of children with mild developmental delay, Physical disabilities or severe or multiple disabilities. The forum offers the possibility to exchange with other affected parents and professionals and now has 50,000 members.

Interesting links

Forum

What specific recreational activities are available to encourage sharing?

DEBRA Switzerland

Each September, Debra hosts a meeting for butterfly children and their families.

diabetesschweiz

Diabetesschweiz offers various events that promote exchange, such as a barbecue.

Interesting Links

Events

Duchenne Switzerland

Duchenne Switzerland organizes several meetings for exchange. For example, the DuchenneMamas autumn meeting.

Interesting links

Calendar of events

Parents' Association for the Child with Heart Disease

The Parents' Association for the Child with Heart Disease offers various Events for exchange among affected families. Be it a family brunch, a (virtual) HERZ-Café, a picnic or a youth meeting.

Interesting Links

Events

Parents Association of Children with Liver Diseases

The Parents' Association for Children with Liver Diseases offers various Events that serve the exchange, such as a so-called encounter meeting.

Interesting links

Events

epi Suisse

The self-help day is aimed specifically at those who lead or attend a Self-help group in the field of epilepsy. In addition, epi Suisse supports numerous self-help groups for parents of children with epilepsy in Switzerland switzerland.

Interesting links

Self-Help Day

Support association for children with rare diseases

The KMSK Family Network regularly invites to free KMSK Family Events. This gives families the opportunity to exchange ideas with other affected families and at the same time experience a break from From everyday life.

Galactosemia Switzerland

The association Galactosemia Switzerland has founded a leisure club for young people.

Help for brain injured children (hiki)

hiki organizes a Parents' Day, a Family Day and a Grandparents' Day every year. The Parents' Day offers thematic input as well as space for exchange among the parents (for children a supporting program with 1:1 supervision is offered). The Family day offers the opportunity to spend a varied day with each other and to and to network and exchange ideas with other affected families exchange ideas. On Grandparents' Day, the commitment of grandparents will be recognized and there is room for their concerns and questions.

Intensive Kids

The association Intensiv-Kids aims to provide assistance and help for self-help for families with children and young adults with complex illnesses and special needs and offers an annual barbecue and Halloween party.

Interesting links

Barbecue

Halloween Höck

Interest group phenylketonuria (PKU)

The Swiss PKU has set itself the goal of networking sufferers and their families with other sufferers.

Interesting links

IG Phenylketonuria (PKU)

Children's Cancer Aid Switzerland

Kinderkrebshilfe Schweiz organizes varied vacations and excursions in a loving environment in order to provide children with cancer and their families with powerful time off.

Interesting links

Vacations and activities

Contact point PINOCCHIO (association for parents with children without finger, hand, arm)

The PINOCCHIO contact point organizes various events, such as a family fun day or a taster sports day.

Interesting Links

Events

Mastocytosis Switzerland

The association Mastocytosis Switzerland organizes various events for affected persons and their relatives.

Interesting Links

Events

Prader Willi Syndrome Association Switzerland

The Prader-Willi Syndrome Association Switzerland organizes various events for affected persons and their relatives.

Interesting links

Events

Rett Association Switzerland

The Rett Association Switzerland organizes various events for affected persons and their families.

Interesting links

Events

SBH Switzerland (Spina bifida and hydrocephalus)

The association SBH Switzerland organizes various events for affected persons and their families.

Interesting links

Annual program

Swiss Hemophilia Society

The Swiss Hemophilia Society organizes various events that promote exchange among affected persons and relatives.

Interesting Links

Events

Swiss Muscle Society

The Family day is aimed at children and young people with a muscular disorder as well as their parents, siblings and relatives and serves the mutual Get to know each other and network.

Interesting links

Family Day

Swiss Association Williams-Beuren Syndrome

The association regularly offers exchange events for members.

Interesting Links

Events

SMA Switzerland (People with Spinal Muscular Atrophy)

SMA Switzerland organizes various events that promote the exchange between affected persons and their relatives.

Interesting links

Events

Sunshine Foundation

The foundation Sonnenschein supports families with a child suffering from cancer with different Offers such as day trips or a brunch.

Interesting links

Occasions

Foundation visoparents

The Visoparents foundation organizes various parent meetings with thematic E.g. autism in preschool age or vision plus.

Interesting links

Parents meetings

Association of Parents of Split Children (VES)

Among other things, the VES provides support work related to the exchange of experiences and mediates between affected families. Events are held annually to network families of children with clefts.

Interesting links

Annual program

Wilson's disease association

The association Morbus Wilson organizes various events for affected persons and their relatives.

Interesting Links

Events

What information events / specialized lectures are offered for affected families?

Crohn's Colitis Switzerland

Crohn's Colitis Switzerland offers information sessions on inflammatory bowel disease.

Interesting links

Information events

DEBRA Switzerland

DEBRA Switzerland organizes an annual training day for affected persons, relatives and professionals.

Interesting links

Continuing education day

Duchenne Switzerland

Duchenne Switzerland organizes several information events and also a Swiss conference.

Interesting links

Calendar of events

Parents Forum Central Switzerland

The Parents' Forum is a network of various organizations and offers annual informational events on various topics (e.g. mourning, belonging).

Interesting links

Parents Forum

Support association for children with rare diseases

Every year, the Förderverein KMSK organizes a Knowledge Forum, which is dedicated to a specific topic. For example, the topics have already been genetics, diagnostics and the desire for more children" and "psychosocial challenges" Challenges" have been discussed.

Interesting Links

Knowledge Forum

FRAGILE Suisse

FRAGILE Suisse offers family members of children with brain injury a versatile course program as well as support groups.

Help for brain injured children (hiki)

hiki organizes thematic workshops or conferences for relatives and professionals at irregular intervals for relatives and professionals on the topic of brain injuries in childhood Childhood.

Intensive Kids

The purpose of the intensiv-kids association is And self-help for families with complexly ill children and young adults with special needs Adults with special needs and offers specialized lectures as part of the "Elternoase" programs.

Marfan Foundation Switzerland

The Marfan Foundation organizes an event with expert lectures every year.

Interesting links

Marfan Day

Procap

Procap organizes an electronic calendar of events in which many events are recorded that are specifically aimed at people with disabilities or their environment.

Interesting links

Calendar of events

Child and Autism Foundation

The Child and Autism Foundation regularly organizes events and courses on autism. In addition, an Autism Forum is held every year.

Interesting technical articles from the KMSK knowledge books "Rare Diseases

Take a look at all these knowledge books from our KMSK support association. Every family that shares their story gives Insight into their own world and opens up to other families. In the process tips and tricks, as well as challenges and opportunities and opportunities that affected families experience in their daily lives and that can help other families not to feel alone and to benefit from the knowledge of others benefit.

5. KMSK Knowledge Book "Rare Diseases - Digital Knowledge Platform for Parents and Professionals"

Patrizia Kasman, University Children's Hospital Beider Basel (UKBB):

Collaboration with parents' associations and networking among parents


Marisa Widmer, pilot project regional KMSK family meetings:

The family meetings are valuable, provide experiences and give new impulses