When someone gets a life-altering diagnosis such as IgAN, it not only affects the person living
with it, but also the people around them. For parents, it’s a different and unique experience.
They provide support as they watch their child learn to cope and live with the impact of this
disease. It can be a lonely and worrying experience navigating what are often unchartered
waters, but it doesn’t have to be.

Today, we have with us Julie and Jeanette, two amazing moms of children who are at different
stages of their IgAN journey. Their budding friendship speaks to the little blessings that can
come from life’s challenges. Even though they live states away from one another, they met at an
event to raise awareness about the impact of IgAN, with both of their now adult children sharing
their experiences. That chance meeting led to the start of a life-long friendship rooted in shared
experiences, love for their children, music, and a mutual love for Babyface.

“I found that on this journey, it’s so very important to say it out loud, say that you’re scared,
anxious, that you don’t know the questions to ask, say that I’m shaking and I don’t know where
to go from here.” -Jeanette

Julie and Jeanette talk about how their friendship has helped one other. They share the
importance of making connections, being vulnerable and creating bonds that can help you
through these uncertain times.

For example, the connections:
● Between parents who are going through the same struggles. They say you can feel what
is in each other’s hearts without necessarily having to say the actual words.
● Between people living with IgAN. Their kids are now close friends. They are both
working as IgAN Ambassadors to support other patients, especially those who are newly
diagnosed and are at a loss on what to do. They want to encourage others by sharing
their experiences.
● Outside the disease. When there is a disease such as IgAN, it can be all-consuming. A
big part of your life revolves around the disease, so it’s even more important to bond
outside of it. They recommend spending time as parent and child or as friends just
having fun and doing other things you both enjoy.

And when asked about their wish for Mother’s Day, both Julie and Jeanette don’t want anything
special, and only expressed their gratitude for the little things, and for their kids. This Mother’s
Day is also special since it falls on the same day as the 2 nd Annual IgA Nephropathy Awareness
Day. May 14 marks the date when Bonnie and Ed Schneider formally launched the IgA

Nephropathy Foundation a journey that began after their son was diagnosed and there was
nowhere to turn.

It’s not always an easy road for parents of children with a diagnosis, but it is amazing
when they are able to find each other, support one another, and form a bond that would
last a lifetime, like how Julie and Jeanette have.