
California Girl's Battle with Rare Genetic Disorder Inspires Hope for a Cure
In Southern California, a young girl named Vivienne Redick faces an uphill battle against BPAN, a rare genetic disorder. Often mistaken for autism, BPAN is a progressive neurodegenerative disease with no known cure. Vivienne's mother, Yvette Yates Redick, shared her family's heartbreaking journey, stating, "It's progressive, that it gets worse with time, and they don't have a long lifespan." The Redicks have found hope at the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, the home of the world's first BPAN clinic, where scientists are pioneering innovative gene therapy. Dr. Laura Adang, a researcher at the hospital, explains their approach: "A capsid is the outside of a virus, and we use them as envelopes to deliver novel information into cells." The Redicks' story underscores the importance of research and awareness for rare genetic disorders. Their unwavering hope and determination to find a cure for Vivienne and others affected by BPAN inspires others to support research initiatives.