Pyroxd1 and the Path Forward: A Rare Disease, a Life-Saving Lesson & a Mission to Help Others- Maria + Matt's Story (246)

"What we realized was that rare isn’t as rare as we think—there are so many of us out here searching for answers, fighting for our kids, and trying to make a difference."- Maria Granados

We extend our sincere gratitude to our sponsor for this episode, Gebauer PainEase®. We are pleased to provide more information about this product, and we invite you to learn more by visiting their website.

What if a simple miscommunication in the hospital could have cost your child their life? For Maria and Matt Granados, parents of a daughter with Pyroxd1, that terrifying moment led to a groundbreaking realization—and a mission to help other families facing rare diseases.

In this powerful episode, we dive into:

✅ The challenges of diagnosing and living with Pyroxd1, a rare neuromuscular condition

 

✅ A near-fatal hospital mistake that could have changed everything

 

 

✅ How they turned their personal struggles into Take Part Foundation, a nonprofit funding rare disease research

 

 

✅ The power of storytelling, advocacy, and community for families navigating the unknown

 

 

 

Maria and Matt’s story is one of resilience, innovation, and advocacy, proving that "rare is more common than you think." Whether you’re a rare disease parent, medical professional, or someone looking for inspiration, this episode is a must-listen.

Timestamps & Key Topics

⏱️ [00:00] – Episode Intro

• Welcome to today’s episode featuring Maria & Matt Granados

• Why raising awareness for Pyroxd1 is so important

⏱️ [01:00] – Meet Maria & Matt

• Their family’s journey: married 9 years, three kids, and an entrepreneurial spirit

• How flexibility in work became essential for parenting a child with complex medical needs

⏱️ [03:00] – The Start of Their Rare Disease Journey

• Pregnancy and early signs something was different with Natalie

• The challenges of getting doctors to take concerns seriously

• Being told “don’t worry” for a year—while their instincts said otherwise

⏱️ [09:00] – The Thanksgiving Hospital Crisis That Changed Everything

• Natalie’s sudden health decline and emergency hospitalization

• The shocking realization that hospitals don’t share medical records effectively

• How a simple website they built saved Natalie’s life by preventing a life-threatening medication error

⏱️ [13:00] – Turning Their Experience Into a Mission

• How their frustration with the system led them to found Take Part Foundation

• Why families need access to their child’s full medical history

• The power of self-advocacy in rare disease care

⏱️ [24:00] – What Is Pyroxd1? Understanding This Rare Condition

• A breakdown of what Pyroxd1 is and how it affects the body

• The difficulty of finding a diagnosis and why many families go undiagnosed

⏱️ [30:00] – The Reality of Rare Disease Research & “Death Valley” Funding

• The shocking truth: 95% of rare diseases have no FDA-approved treatment

• Why promising research often stalls due to lack of funding

• How Take Part Foundation provides grants to researchers in need

⏱️ [38:00] – How Take Part Helps Families Get Genetic Testing

• Many families can’t afford genetic testing—so Take Part is filling the gap

• The impact of a diagnosis on getting insurance coverage for therapies and equipment

⏱️ [44:00] – Strengthening Their Marriage Through the Rare Disease Journey

• The emotional toll of raising a medically complex child

• The mindset shift that saved their marriage: “If Natalie’s not offended, I don’t need to be offended.”

• The importance of seeing doctors as humans, too

⏱️ [50:00] – Let Your Fight Shine: A Message for Other Rare Parents

• Maria’s beautiful perspective on embracing the fight instead of hiding it

• Why advocacy is the most powerful tool rare disease parents have

⏱️ [52:00] – Where to Find Maria & Matt + How to Support Take Part Foundation

• How to get involved, donate, or apply for support

• Why storytelling is a crucial part of the rare disease journey

• Final words of encouragement for other families

Resources & Links

📌 Learn More About Pyroxd1 & Take Part Foundation: www.take-part.org
📥 Apply for Genetic Testing Support: Take Part Foundation Resources (Coming Soon!)
📲 Follow Take Part on Instagram: @TakePartFoundation
🎧 Listen to more episodes: Child Life On Call

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📩 Contact us: Lyndsey Fedorko

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🎙️Meet the host: Katie Taylor is the co-founder and CEO of Child Life On Call, a digital platform designed to provide parents, kids, and the care team with access to child life services tools and resources. She is a certified child life specialist with over 13 years of experience working in various pediatric healthcare settings. Katie is the author of the children's book, and has presented on the topics of child life and entrepreneurship, psychosocial care in the hospital, and supporting caregivers in the NICU setting both nationally and internationally. She is also the host of the Child Life On Call Podcast which features interviews with parents discussing their experiences throughout their child's medical journey. The podcast emphasizes the crucial role of child life services in enabling caregivers both at and beyond the bedside.

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The Child Life On Call Podcast is for informational and educational purposes only. The content shared in each episode, including stories, discussions, and interviews, is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified healthcare provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay seeking it because of something you heard on this podcast. The views and opinions expressed by guests on the Child Life On Call Podcast are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of Child Life On Call. Child Life On Call does not endorse any specific medical treatments, procedures, or opinions shared in the podcast. If you or your child are experiencing a medical emergency, call 911 or seek immediate medical attention. By listening to this podcast, you acknowledge that Child Life On Call and its affiliates are not responsible for any decisions made based on the information provided.