10/09/2025
What if your child changed overnight?
Today is PANS/PANDAS Awareness day.
We don’t need a social media day to remind us. My family is aware every day of PANS. My sweet girl certainly does not need a day to remind her of the pain she lives with every day.
I learned phase “if they could, they would.” It resonated with me.
Doctors and the medical community: believe us. Stop dismissing. Ask questions, be curious, look and treat the infections that are causing brain inflammation.
If my girl could be healthy, she would. Believe me, she is not choosing to having countless blood tests, medical procedures, infusions, be in constant pain, or having a better relationship with nurses than friends.
Insurance companies: please stop making decisions from your high towers in the city. You have never met my child. Do not stop or start coverage because of some policy.
If I could pay for it, I would. (Oh wait, never mind, I am!)
Teachers and school nurses: please be aware of the signs. When a student is having psychiatric symptoms like extreme anxiety, school avoidance, OCD, wanting to hurt themselves or others; please ask about infections. Please be open to the possibility that this isn’t a choice behavior. It is their nervous systems screaming at us for help. If they could attend school, class, curriculum and homework they would!
To others who offer opinions: This is not manipulation. Just because you can’t see it, doesn’t mean it’s not real. We’re parenting exactly as she needs us. This is not “typical teenage girl attitude.” Sorry, we can’t participate in group activities and events.
If we could, we would.
On this Oct 9th, we ask you, no we are begging you to believe us, having understanding and compassion for us.
If we could, we would.
💚 Please take a moment today to learn about PANS/PANDAS.
Start here: .care and
Awareness saves lives. Every child and family deserves to be seen, believed, and supported. 💚