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# A DIFFERENT STORY

## Sitemaps

- [XML Sitemap](https://adifferentstory.nl/sitemap.xml): Contains all public & indexable URLs for this website.

## Posts

- [#Impact podcast: Raising children with rare diseases](https://adifferentstory.nl/impact-podcast-raising-children-with-rare-diseases/) - Exciting news! Our work is now featured on #impact - A Podcast About Stuff That Matters, ranked in the Top 5% globally! 🎙️ In this episode we talk with one of the founding mamas in our growing community about how it all started with a homemade flyer to join a parent support group, and with
- [The Power of Connection](https://adifferentstory.nl/the-power-of-connection/) - An interview with Schouders highlighting our parent platform and support group When your child needs extra care, parenting often feels like a competitive sport: intense, emotional, and sometimes lonely. Sarah Rose LaPham knows this better than anyone. She's the mother of a son with a rare condition and the director of A Different Story, a
- [The Power of Community in Raising a Child with a Disability](https://adifferentstory.nl/the-power-of-community-in-raising-a-child-with-a-disability/) - When we think about what it might take to raise and care for a child living with a disability (physical and/or cognitive) we often think mainly about the physical and time-consuming act of parenting. We think about the specific needs around their condition, specialised medical care, different therapies, special education, long-term care, etc. Yet most
- [Stronger Together: A Day Full of Discovery and Trust! ](https://adifferentstory.nl/strong-together-a-day-full-of-discovery-and-trust/) - Last Sunday was a day to remember for our Stronger Together project. We kicked off with an enthusiastic group of three participants. What united them was not only the same school, but also the unique specialties and limitations that each brings with them – and which we transform into strength together! Autumn in the Forest:
- [A year to be proud of - 2025 Annual Report](https://adifferentstory.nl/a-year-to-be-proud-of-2025-annual-report/) - Dear friends and community, As I look back on this past year, I feel deeply grateful for the families, volunteers, partners, and supporters who make A Different Story what it is. Every conversation shared, every moment of connection created, and every family supported reminds me why this work matters so much. Together, we have built
- [New funding enables A Different Story to broaden its services and offer additional support to families](https://adifferentstory.nl/a-lack-of-information-and-support-to-families-caring-for-a-child-with-a-rare-disease-and-one-organisations-mission-to-address-it/) - FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE17.02.2025 There are over 1.2 million people in the Netherlands living with a rare disease and at least 75% of those cases are diagnosed in pregnancy or childhood.[1] Therefore, we know that the journey from diagnosis to care in navigating a rare disease predominately impacts young families. With this journey often comes a

## Pages

- [Home](https://adifferentstory.nl/) - Celebrating and supporting children with rare conditions and their families Join us in building community and breaking barriers for marginalised children and supporting their carers.
- [Contact](https://adifferentstory.nl/about/contact/) - Contact Details A Different Story StichtingKVK 93258593 Herenmarkt 17 CAmsterdam, 1013 EC, The Netherlands Get in touch Contact Us
- [What we do](https://adifferentstory.nl/what-we-do/) - Empowering Families with Support Breaking Down Barriers for Marginalized Children Founded in 2022, A Different Story is born out of our experience as parents to a little boy living with a rare neurological disease. From obtaining a diagnosis to finding quality care to fighting for accessible education and to building a supportive community, our experience
- [Meet-ups](https://adifferentstory.nl/what-we-do/events/meetups/) - Register in English Register in Dutch Dutch flyer below. Stronger Together Stronger Together is a programme we’re running for kids and teens 8-16 years old with special and intensive care needs in Amsterdam. These special kids are invited for an inclusive, creative and interactive afternoon in a fun and safe environment with experienced childcare providers!
- [Parent Support Group](https://adifferentstory.nl/what-we-do/parent-support-group/) - In-person support group meetings in 2026 These meetings are offered one Saturday each month and with the option of childcare at our community space in Amsterdam. 10 Jan. 10:30am - 12pm 21 Feb. 10:30am - 12pm 7 Mar. 10:30am -12pm 19 April 11:30am - 1pm 16 May 10:30am - 12pm 13 June 10:30am - 12pm
- [Governance](https://adifferentstory.nl/governance/) - Governance and Transparency Mission and Objectives A Different Story aims to improve the quality of life of children with rare conditions or intensive care needs and their families. The foundation is committed to: Reducing social isolation; Strengthening the position of parents and caregivers; Promoting inclusion and societal awareness; Improving access to appropriate care and support.
- [Team](https://adifferentstory.nl/about/team/) - Meet our dedicated team... Sarah LaPham Director Sarah brings over 20 years of experience in advocacy, lobbying and communications to the role of the Director. She is also the mother to a young son with a rare disease. She bring extensive experience in international campaigning and advocacy rooted in advancing the rights of vulnerable and
- [Help us raise core funds to help more families](https://adifferentstory.nl/donor-dashboard/) - HELP US RAISE CORE FUNDING TO SUPPORT FAMILIES IN NEED A Different Story supports families caring for a child with complex and intensive care needs, including rare diseases, severe autism or have undiagnosed conditions. We strive to improve the experience of these families in this often difficult and isolating journey in managing the long-term care
- [News](https://adifferentstory.nl/news/) - Keep up to date with ADS News and updates from A Different Story Join our private Facebook group here! https://www.facebook.com/groups/parentswithcareintensivechildren
- [Iggy](https://adifferentstory.nl/case-stories/iggy/) - Case Story: Iggy 'There’s nothing actually ‘wrong’ with Iggy. What’s ‘wrong’ is that he doesn’t fit neatly into this world.' 7 years ago, Iggy, a now almost 12-year-old little boy with bright red hair and a cheeky smile, was diagnosed with a very rare neurological disease, called Trip12, involving a genetic mutation on his 12th
- [News](https://adifferentstory.nl/news-2/) - Keep up to date with ADS News and updates from A Different Story Join our private Facebook group here! https://www.facebook.com/groups/parentswithcareintensivechildren
- [Workshops](https://adifferentstory.nl/what-we-do/events/workshops/) - Workshops Are the Unique Demands of Raising a Child with Special Needs Straining Your Couple's Communication? Raising a child with special needs or a rare condition brings unique joys and incredible strengths, but it can also present unique challenges to communication and connection within your partnership. The demands of appointments, therapies, advocacy, and the emotional
- [Privacy Policy](https://adifferentstory.nl/about/privacy-policy/) - Who we are We are A Different Story Stichting. Find out more on the Contact page. Our website address is: adifferentstory.nl Comments We don't generally have comment features turned on. This is because most people want to comment on other channels (like instagram, etc), and because managing comments on a site takes up a lot
- [Events](https://adifferentstory.nl/what-we-do/events/) - Events In addition to our Parent Support Group, we host a number of different events throughout the year, such as informative and empowering workshops for parents and meet-ups for kids and families to connect and build community. At all of our events top quality childcare is always offered, regardless of your child's care needs, and
- [Olive](https://adifferentstory.nl/case-stories/olive/) - Case Story: Olive 'I just want to look back and know that I did everything I could.' Olive, 3 years old, was recently diagnosed with ZBTB18, an ultra-rare neurological disease. After years of doubts and questions about her development, her parents now finally have an answer and a diagnosis. Yet whilst they have the answer
- [Isabel](https://adifferentstory.nl/case-stories/isabel/) - Case Story: Isabel Zero expectations and a lotta love – one family’s journey in caring for an extraordinary child Isabel was diagnosed with an ultra-rare neurological disease called, Trip12 at the age of 3 years old. Now, 8 years later her parents, Nina and David, have an experience and perspective they never could have imagined
- [Arthur](https://adifferentstory.nl/case-stories/arthur/) - Case Story: Arthur ‘I just want him to be seen and loved for who and what he is. It’s a very basic need.’ Imagine giving birth to a seemingly ‘normal’, healthy child only 4 weeks later to discover that he is completely blind in one eye. Further testing shows that you have a child with
- [Supporting Parents in Arranging Care](https://adifferentstory.nl/what-we-do/supporting-parents/) - Supporting Parents in Arranging Care Being a parent of a child with intensive care needs brings many questions and challenges. We can put you in touch with someone to help find and arrange appropriate care. In this process they will think about the solution, provide information about options and point you in the right direction.
- [About](https://adifferentstory.nl/about/) - About A Different Story Fostering Connection Through Diversity A Different Story was established in 2022 and is born out of our experience as parents to a little boy living with a rare neurological disease. From obtaining a diagnosis to finding quality care to fighting for accessible education and to building a supportive community, our experience
- [International Efforts](https://adifferentstory.nl/what-we-do/international-efforts/) - Fundraising & Support We've also supported various campaigns globally aligned with our mission. Ukraine 2002 Our 1st fundraiser for: Bright Kids Charity Syria 2002 Our 2nd fundraiser for: Humanity & Inclusion Kenya 2003 Our 3rd fundraiser with our neighbours: Klabu.
- [Case Stories](https://adifferentstory.nl/case-stories/) - Case Stories This section shines a light on the real life stories of the children and families we work with and for. Iggy Olive Isabel Arthur
- [Journey of Hope](https://adifferentstory.nl/about/a-journey-of-hope/) - Journey of Hope The Making of a Documentary We found our voice through our first campaign where we worked with Same But Different, a UK social enterprise using visual art to break down rare illnesses and how we see difference in people. Together we were part of the making of a documentary, called Journey of
- [Supporting refugees in Kenya](https://adifferentstory.nl/what-we-do/international-efforts/supporting-refugees-in-kenya/) - Supporting refugees in Kenya We are honored to have teamed up with Klabu, a local non-profit improving the life of refugees through sport, for our 2023 fundraising event - celebrating the life of our son who lives with a rare neurological disease. Through our efforts and that of our community, we reached our goal and
- [Supporting Disabled Children in Ukraine](https://adifferentstory.nl/what-we-do/international-efforts/supporting-disabled-children-in-ukraine/) - Supporting Disabled Children in Ukraine As our lives continue as normal, a war rages on in Ukraine. Since the conflict started on 24 February 2022, more than 3 million people have been displaced. Yet the most vulnerable people cannot flee. Children with disabilities cannot travel long distances and in difficult condition to escape bombs and
- [Supporting Disabled Syrian Refugees](https://adifferentstory.nl/what-we-do/international-efforts/supporting-disabled-syrian-refugees/) - Supporting Disabled Syrian Refugees March 15, 2022, marked 11 years of conflict in Syria and over 450,000 deaths. 1 in 5 Syrian refugees currently live with disabilities, because when bombs don't kill they often cause life long injuries. Through a local community benefit we raised over €800 to support Humanity & Inclusion in their essential

## Events

- [test event](https://adifferentstory.nl/event/test-event/) - test

## Categories

- [Uncategorized](https://adifferentstory.nl/category/uncategorized/)