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Kevin Alexander
Добавлен 20 сен 2011
I'm Kevin Alexander and I'm a PKU, newborn screening, and rare disease advocate. I created this channel in 2011 when I produced my short film "My PKU Life". I've since created other content for the community over the years. I currently host Never Give Up: A Rare Disease Podcast, which is featured here on this channel (and available on all podcast platforms). It's a storytelling podcast exploring the intersection of life, mental health, and rare disease.
Season 2 Ep. 7 | The Emotional Toll of Rare Disease Advocacy
In this episode of "Never Give Up: A Rare Disease Podcast," I delve into the often-overlooked emotional toll of rare disease advocacy.
Drawing from my extensive experience as both a rare disease advocate and a professional storyteller, I share personal reflections on the mental health challenges we face as advocates. Advocacy, whether public or private, involves sharing our stories and connecting with others.
I recount poignant moments, including a heartbreaking encounter with the grandmother of a young person with PKU, illustrating the profound impact of advocacy on our emotional well-being. Join me as I explore the balance between advocating for others and managing personal health, and di...
Drawing from my extensive experience as both a rare disease advocate and a professional storyteller, I share personal reflections on the mental health challenges we face as advocates. Advocacy, whether public or private, involves sharing our stories and connecting with others.
I recount poignant moments, including a heartbreaking encounter with the grandmother of a young person with PKU, illustrating the profound impact of advocacy on our emotional well-being. Join me as I explore the balance between advocating for others and managing personal health, and di...
Просмотров: 1
Видео
Season 2 Ep. 6 | Triggered
Просмотров 216 часов назад
June is Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) Awareness Month. So, in this episode I dive into my deeply personal and often unsettling experiences living with PTSD. I share an event from 20 years ago that continues to impact me today, exploring how certain triggers can instantly transport me back to moments of intense anger and grief. This episode highlights the emotional struggles tied to PTSD...
Season 2 Ep. 5 | Lead From The Front
Просмотров 314 дней назад
In this episode, I delve into the profound lessons on leadership inspired by Major Richard Winters of Easy Company, 2nd Battalion, 506th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 101st Airborne Division, famously portrayed in "Band of Brothers." I'm sharing this in honor of the 80th anniversary of the beginning of this story: D-Day. Discover how his principles of leading from the front, embodying character,...
Season 2 Ep. 4 | Living With A Mission
Просмотров 1521 день назад
Sometimes it takes confronting your darkest moments to embrace living with a mission. This is the story of how I discovered my mission in life, and it begins one morning when I was on my way to work and almost died. Transcript Available A transcript of this episode is available on my blog (pkujournal.com) . About Never Give Up: A Rare Disease Podcast This is a storytelling podcast exploring the...
Season 2 Ep. 3 | When I Almost Gave Up
Просмотров 728 дней назад
At war with your body and mind… That’s what it feels like to have PKU and struggle with high PHE levels. This is something I’ve never shared in detail-the years when I struggled with the PKU, low-protein diet. I kept quiet because of fear. And this episode is the first time I’m telling that story in detail. The episode is called “When I Almost Gave Up”, and I’m sharing it so that maybe you won’...
Season 2 Ep. 2 | Life Moves On
Просмотров 3Месяц назад
This episode is an exploration of hope in the darkest of circumstances, a reminder that even when we feel stuck, life moves on. It’s about an experience early in my advocacy journey, during a trip to Brazil where I spoke at a newborn screening symposium. A moment my past caught up with me. This episode navigates through the complex landscape of memory and past experiences in the pursuit of hope...
Season 2 Ep. 1 | "When Are You Going To Treat My Child?"
Просмотров 30Месяц назад
This is a story about rare disease history. Phenylketonuria, or PKU, was the first rare disease detected and diagnosed through newborn screening. And this story is from those early days-it's about the development of the first treatment for PKU in Birmingham, UK during the 1950's. But while that story is often told from the perspective of the doctors who developed the treatment, this story is fr...
Kevin Alexander Discusses Rare Disease Day on KTAL and KMSS
Просмотров 3973 месяца назад
PKU, Newborn Screening, and Rare Disease Advocate Kevin Alexander appears on KTAL and KMSS to discuss Rare Disease Day and Never Give Up: A Rare Disease Podcast (available on all podcast platforms). Here are some statistics about rare diseases (source: National Organization of Rare Disorders, or NORD): - There are 10,000 known rare diseases affecting 400 million people globally. - About 30 mill...
Kevin's Journal | Entry 12: Owning Your Rare Disease Story
Просмотров 533 месяца назад
Join me, Kevin Alexander, as I share my rare disease story, living with Phenylketonuria (PKU), and the lessons I've learned on this journey. Through embracing our unique narratives to understanding the strength in our community, this episode delves into the complexities and victories inherent in the world of rare disease advocacy. This episode was inspired by an article I wrote for PTC Therapeu...
Kevin’s Journal | Entry 11: Your Story Matters
Просмотров 53 месяца назад
"Your story matters". I say that all the time. But do I really believe it? If I did, then why did I stop sharing my daily routines related to my rare disease years ago? Since so much of my life revolves around PKU advocacy, then why don't I share my personal diet and routines? I reflect on that in this episode. And will keep trying to open up, be authentic, and feel free to share who I really a...
Kevin’s Journal | Entry 10: The Power of Small Decisions
Просмотров 63 месяца назад
"Do people change?" If you've listened to my show at all, then you know I say the answer is, "Yes." But while we are tempted to think that change always occurs in some sweeping, dramatic fashion, the truth is... most change is gradual. The result of small decisions, taken daily, that change us over time. This is a story about a small decision that changed me. Of course, I had no idea of the ram...
Kevin’s Journal | Entry 9: Looking Back, Looking Ahead
Просмотров 33 месяца назад
As we begin a new year, I'd just like to take a moment and share a brief message. I've got a lot of content planned for 2024, including a new season in May. But for now, I'd just like to say thank you to everyone who has listened to this show. I'm not big into New Year's resolutions, but I do believe in taking time during this season to sit down, reflect on life, and consider what lies ahead. A...
Kevin’s Journal | Entry 8: People are Priceless
Просмотров 13 месяца назад
Sometimes these reflections on life that I share aren’t really about the rare disease experience. They’re just about life. So, whether you’ve experienced grief in the past or you’re grieving now, this episode is for you. This is a heavy episode. Life is like that sometimes. While some are celebrating others are in sorrow. But it's through our human connections that we find our way through to th...
Kevin’s Journal | Entry 7: Dare to be Different
Просмотров 23 месяца назад
Today is PKU Awareness Day in the US. Normally on this day, I use it as an opportunity to share information and statistics to raise awareness of my rare disease. But today, I'm doing something different. I'm sharing two stories-one ancient and one modern-that help us accept the beauty in difference. Because, as much as we might like to deny it, our rare disease life sets us apart. We are differ...
Kevin’s Journal | Entry 6: One Global Community
Просмотров 33 месяца назад
This is my second episode from the 2023 ESPKU (www.espku.org) Conference. The first one featured interviews with 26 people affected by PKU from around the world. In this one, we'll spend some more time with 8 of those people. They include 5 adults with PKU, two parents, and one spouse. And they each have a different perspective to share about life with PKU. The previous episode was meant for a ...
Kevin’s Journal | Entry 5: In This Together
Просмотров 23 месяца назад
Kevin’s Journal | Entry 5: In This Together
Kevin’s Journal | Entry 4: Finding Your Rare Disease Community
Просмотров 53 месяца назад
Kevin’s Journal | Entry 4: Finding Your Rare Disease Community
Kevin’s Journal | Entry 3: When You Never Have To Say Goodbye
Просмотров 63 месяца назад
Kevin’s Journal | Entry 3: When You Never Have To Say Goodbye
Kevin’s Journal | Entry 2: Never, Never, Never Give Up
Просмотров 43 месяца назад
Kevin’s Journal | Entry 2: Never, Never, Never Give Up
Kevin’s Journal | Entry 1: 60 Years of Newborn Screening
Просмотров 53 месяца назад
Kevin’s Journal | Entry 1: 60 Years of Newborn Screening
Season 1 Ep. 10 | Accepting Your Rare Disease Life
Просмотров 73 месяца назад
Season 1 Ep. 10 | Accepting Your Rare Disease Life
Season 1 Ep. 9 | Life Is Amazing: Finding Beauty in Life’s Challenges
Просмотров 23 месяца назад
Season 1 Ep. 9 | Life Is Amazing: Finding Beauty in Life’s Challenges
Season 1 Ep. 8 | Confronting Imposter Syndrome As A Rare Disease Advocate
Просмотров 13 месяца назад
Season 1 Ep. 8 | Confronting Imposter Syndrome As A Rare Disease Advocate
Season 1 Ep. 7 | Overcoming Trauma and Embracing Life
Просмотров 83 месяца назад
Season 1 Ep. 7 | Overcoming Trauma and Embracing Life
Season 1 Ep. 6 | The Power of Choices: Making an Impact on the World
Просмотров 63 месяца назад
Season 1 Ep. 6 | The Power of Choices: Making an Impact on the World
Season 1 Ep. 4 | The Healing Power of Friendship
Просмотров 13 месяца назад
Season 1 Ep. 4 | The Healing Power of Friendship
Season 1 Ep. 3 | The Battle for Self-Worth
Просмотров 13 месяца назад
Season 1 Ep. 3 | The Battle for Self-Worth
Season 1 Ep. 2 | Rare Disease Advocacy and Burnout
Просмотров 33 месяца назад
Season 1 Ep. 2 | Rare Disease Advocacy and Burnout
This is chocolate gold ✨🤎
Můžu mit otázku kam putují děti o vás ❓ bylo by možné schůzku ❓
Jejinposkytnut jakýsi startdo života, nebo jw v šestnácti pouz stačite před dver0e hurá pomáhat dalším?
@@krouzek47 Here in the United States, support for PKU depends on what state one lives in. For example, here in Louisiana there is a program to help people receive their PKU "metabolic formula". But in other states that support does not exist, and depends on the quality of private insurance one has. It is something we are trying to change, to ensure that everyone with PKU or similar metabolic disorders has support for their entire lives.
Thankyou for sharing your story!
Thank you for watching!
Brilliant story-telling! Thank you, Kevin. "Every day, with every choice, we are building a legacy!" - I will try to think this way more often...
Thank you so much!
I have pku
Nice to meet you! Thanks for watching
Hi Kevin! I hope you're doing well and that you're a hero as usual. I'm watching your video as a part of an online course about newborn babies. Thank you for your generosity to share your story 🙋♀
Thank you for watching, and for your kind words! Also on this channel you can find my podcast. It’s called Never Give Up: A Rare Disease Podcast. A storytelling podcast about life, mental health, and rare disease. There’s an episode called “60 Years of Newborn Screening”. Given your coursework, I thought you might like to check it out. Thanks again!
You look like james franco
As a father to a 14 month old with classic PKU and my family appreciates your efforts more than you know.
Hi Anthony. Thank you for your kind words. I’ll be honest… Years ago when I first began sharing my PKU experiences I was only thinking about others in the community at the time. I had no idea all these years later people would still be responding to my work. To hear that I might have helped you and your family in some way means the world to me. Thank you for sharing. And I hope one day down the road we are able to meet at an event in person.
Great interview. Well done Kevin. Thank you for your work 🙏
Thank you!
Thank you, Kevin!!
It’s my pleasure. I LOVE this community, and happy to be able to contribute in some way.
Thank you for sharing your video.
👏👏👏👍!!
Thank you!
I have pku
Hi Ferran! Thanks for sharing!
I have MSUD - very similar metabolic condition. The only thing that differs is that instead of phenylalanine being blocked, it’s the three branched chain amino acids.
@@catherinesparkmy 7 month old was diagnosed when he was 4 days old
I'm 58 and have pku...didn't know until I was 18...ate everything all my life..now I have to change my diet. It's pure hell.
Hi Katie, thank you for sharing. I’m just curious. How were you diagnosed? I can imagine going that long eating whatever you want to then eating a restrictive diet is a challenge.
Hi Kevin. I was diagnosed with PKU in 1969 but I now eat normal since around 1989. I was caught at 5 days old.
0:00 I just sent your video to a family in Turkey who need help for 3 children with PKU. Thank you for sharing this.
You are very welcome! And thank you for sharing the film. I produced this a long time ago, and it's been amazing to see how people still respond to it, all these years later. Also, I have a more recent media project that reflects what I'm focused on these days... My blog is PKUJournal.com, and I have a podcast called Never Give Up: A Rare Disease Podcast. It's available on Apple Podcasts and Spotify, as well as the blog. I'm exploring the intersection of life, mental health, and rare disease. How living with PKU, or any other rare disease, can impact your mental health. And I frame it around stories from my life in broadcasting and rare disease advocacy. Hope it helps!
Quick follow up to my previous comment, here's a link to the podcast on Spotify: open.spotify.com/show/5jW0TZlMvtnyK6ivW5kFDE
Thank you for your video. It was great. I have PKU. Was diagnosed as a baby. Was on formula then low protein diet. Then taken off diet probably in the 80s. The medical food and formulas are great now. I had a hard time with the medical foods because of the sugar in them. I was diagnosed at 3 1/2 years old with type 1 diabetes too. Doing good so far with both diseases 50 years later. Your video was great explaining what pku is. I always spoke about my pku and diabetes as long as I can remember. Keep speaking up for pku.
Thank you for watching, and the encouragement. Hard to believe it's been almost 12 years since I released this. But still talking about PKU! Anyway, just wanted to say thanks for the comment.
My daughter has pku she is 28 years old and diagnosed at birth she decided to stop the diet nearly 10 years ago and now we are estranged 😢she will not adhere to her diet 😢
Hi Kevin, my name is Bernadette, and I have pku,my brother has pku ,and My sister, has pku ,and my daughter has pku , and my cousins daughter also has pku , I am from the uk i would love to hear from you
Hi Bernadette! Thanks for connecting! I’m always here to chat, any time. Are you on Instagram by any chance? That’s where I spend most of my time these days: @kevinalexander_pku
My husband has PKU. He's been on Palynziq for 4 years. He's able to have a un restricting diet due to it. Have you ever considered it? Just curious on your views on it.
I haven’t considered it only because I’m a super responder to Kuvan. I am able to eat 50 grams of natural protein, and I am happy with those results. But I have friends on Palynziq and it has been incredible for them.
This is amazing!!! Thank you so much for sharing your story ❤ Such an inspiration for my nephews!
Thanks for watching!
I have pku and it is challeging to live with this, i was diagnose at age16 kind of late. Due to the country where i born at the time didnt have knowladge to treat it.
You are so brave and very strong person✨
Thank you for this video, Never get tired of watching and sharing with who ever is related to my Son. May God continue Blessing you. Proud and supportive Mom to my 14 year old PKU son.
Thank you! If you haven’t seen it yet, check out my new blog, PKUJournal.com. I write about life, mental health, and PKU.
I am lucky to of been born in America in the 21st century and be diagnosed in the first 2 weeks of me being alive, seeing these channels and seeing what other people are going through makes me no uncomfortable with my condition. I sometimes think I should just eat normal food to be normal. But knowing what could of happened and how I’m am so lucky to be born in the right place and time, I shouldn’t give it up for just trying to be normal.
I have PKU and it pains me to see others that hasn't been treated in time and become like this..
i have pku and when i get older i have been thinking about becoming a doctor for it so i can relate to my patients
I'm a Father of a daughter who has PKU and we live in England. Just came across this post as my grandson has PKU and my daughter is doing a cooking blog for PKU. Absolutely inspiring loved the post. Thank you.
Unfortunately, there is no screening analysis in the country where I live.That's why I found out about it late in my son.we found out in his 17th month
A very touching video. My daughter pku for the first time I know I felt sad and pain because there are no food in our country, no acids, and no protein-free food, but with the diet, her condition began to improve, thank God, with the fruitful research, I found an association that provided me with acids and thank God my daughter is getting better. When I watched your tape I felt hopeful that my daughter, God willing, will become, like you, successful in her life. Thank you for your positive energy.
I have pku. I’m 23. I’m from Italy and I am a medical student 👊🏻
I’m watching video right know and I have PKU. This video gave me a real wake up call that if my parents and PKU doctor and dietation. I wouldn’t be anywhere right know. So thank you for making this video. 😊
It’s really something to be able to watch someone going through the same thing, and be able to look in the comments and see hundreds more. I have never met anyone else in person that has PKU and kids tease me for eating different. But this inspires me to get my dream job, and share my story too. I will devote my entire life to support PKU awareness.
hey im 28 y/o and i have PKU also. Big love <3
I am an adult how do I get tested for pku?
Hey Kevin ! my names John ,I’m 32 and I myself have pku. I would love one day to contact you and talk. I’ve never really spoke to anyone with pku. Before. Please get in touch
I live in the USA. My son was screened at birth. My son was misdiagnosed negative pku after initially testing positive. 11 yrs later a dna test showed he is pku positive. I just found out 3 weeks ago. My son suffers from autism and adhd he has severe behavioral issues so severe that prevent him from attending school he stims severely he has social issues he has had seizures and is on multiple medications. I and his doctors believe the majority of his issues are due to the untreated pku. I am in shock.
Hi Kevin my name is Cindy and I'm 33 with PKU thank you for posting this video.
Check your ableism, dude. People with intellectual disabilities of all kinds have valuable lives too. Glad you have a life you like - AND people who have disabilities can also have good lives.
I recently have had my blood phe levels drop into the 200-300 range after a tumultuous struggle with pku for 38 Years. I've on palinzq for about a year now the 1st in Idaho to take the plunge.
My new baby cousin has been diagnosed and I’m so glad to know that he will be ok.
Thank you for this.🙏😭 Your words have moved mountains.
Hello Kevin, your story is an inspiration. My little girl had increased levels of phenylalanine (2.2) at her birth screening. Unfortunately, i DO come from a country with a medical system so overwhelmed, and underpaid that on this day she is 4 months old and WE STILL DO NOT KNOW IF SHE HAS PKU OR NOT. (Not because their lack of knowledge, but lack of decency and time to talk to us). All you get is the result sheet. Her phenylalanine levels were 1.1, 1.2 , 1.1. She is now 4 months old, and i found online that PKU children have light skin and hair, so my stomach started turning again... We are supposed to go tomorrow to yet another test, AND I STILL DO NOT KNOW IF SHE IS SUPPOSED TO BE BREASTFEEDING OR TAKING THE FORMULA!!! I After watching this and reading some medical articles I realized i need help. Am i destroying my child with breastfeeding or not? are these levels of phenyl considered PKU??? Help me please!
Hello, I also have pku. And am having a hard time finding people who will help me get the foods and medical care I need. I live in Washington state. And can not afford insurance. But once you become an adult you do not receive the care you need in visits with a dietician or even being able to get on the new medications that they now have. Can you point me in the right direction?
Are you eligible for Medicaid?
NORD
PKU SQUAD, LIKE IT UP!☝
I'm 11 and I have pku
I have pku 2 so can you tell me how to upkeep my levels down because if I don't keep my levels down I have to get fed by a feeding tube
12 years of pku let's keep going!💪
Thank you for uploading this video, I'm a medstudent and your showed me the reality<3
It’s hard for me to do well in school with pku because I’m pretty sure it makes me terrible at concentrating but unlike someone with something like dyslexia I don’t get to use the excuse that I have this disorder because it’s such a rare disorder.