#301 Dwarfism with Colleen Gioffreda

Colleen Gioffreda was such a dynamic and charismatic guest in this episode of “It Happened To Me” we had to share it on DNA Today! Our host Kira Dineen is the Executive Producer on this podcast and joins as a guest host in this episode. 

 

Colleen is the Clinical Operations Program Administrator for the Greenberg Center for Skeletal Dysplasias in the Department of Genetic Medicine at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine. She handles patient inquiries, coordinates the Little People of America (LPA) Medical Advisory Board clinics at the national conferences and regionals, provides school/social resources to patients and parents, and also manages budgets and databases. 

 

In her volunteer life, Colleen is LPA’s Adoption Coordinator, and has helped facilitate the adoptions of over 400 children with dwarfism for the past seventeen years. She is also the Chair of the LPA Conference Management Committee and is a member of LPA’s Medical Advisory Board. 

 

Colleen is lucky enough to answer to the name of ‘Mom’ to her four children, who also all happen to have achondroplasia, the most common form of dwarfism. She views having achondroplasia as an opportunity, and feels fortunate to have experienced such a unique and rich adventure in life. 

 

Episode Highlights:

 

Understanding Terminology and Accommodations:

• Appropriate terms for individuals with achondroplasia and skeletal dysplasias.
• Vital accommodations for people with dwarfism in various aspects of life.

 

Home Modifications and Misconceptions:

• Recommended home alterations for individuals affected by dwarfism.
• Addressing misconceptions and stereotypes about dwarfism in her work.

 

Employment and Workplace Challenges:

• Employment roadblocks faced by little people and necessary workplace accommodations.

 

Career Path and Key Responsibilities:

• Colleen’s journey towards helping the skeletal dysplasia community.
• Key responsibilities in her role, including patient inquiries and coordinating medical advisory board clinics.

 

School and Social Resources:

• Providing school and social resources to patients and parents.
• Importance of this support in managing skeletal dysplasias.

 

Adoption Advocacy:

• Motivations for becoming involved in adoption advocacy.
• Experiences and insights from facilitating adoptions of children with dwarfism.
• Countries with higher frequencies of children with dwarfism waiting to be adopted.

 

LPA Conference Management:

• Involvement in the LPA Conference Management Committee and the significance of organizing conferences.
• Memorable and rewarding experiences supporting individuals and families.

 

Parental Support:

• Approaching support and resources for parents raising children with achondroplasia.

 

Community Advocacy and Medical Collaboration:

• Pressing issues within the dwarfism community and advocacy efforts.
• Response to FDA-approved treatment for achondroplasia (VOXZOGO® (vosoritide)) and differing viewpoints.
• Collaborating with medical professionals and researchers to advance understanding and treatment.

 

Personal and Professional Perspective:

• Influence of personal experience with achondroplasia on professional approach.
• Current initiatives and projects to support individuals with skeletal dysplasias.

 

Future Hopes and Advice:

• Hopes for the future of care and support for individuals with dwarfism.
• Advice for professionals and volunteers supporting individuals with rare genetic conditions.

 

Colleen Gioffreda shares invaluable insights into the world of dwarfism, from personal experiences to professional advocacy. Her work with the Greenberg Center and LPA highlights the importance of community, support, and dedicated advocacy for individuals with skeletal dysplasias. Be sure to check out more episodes of “It Happened To Me”. 

 

Stay tuned for the next new episode of DNA Today next Friday! New episodes are released every Friday. In the meantime, you can binge over 300 other episodes on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, streaming on the website, or any other podcast player by searching, “DNA Today”. Episodes since 2021 are also recorded with video which you can watch on our YouTube channel, this includes some episodes recorded at NBC Universal Stamford Studios. 

 

DNA Today is hosted and produced by Kira Dineen. Our social media lead is Corinne Merlino. Our video lead is Amanda Andreoli. Our Outreach Intern is Sanya Tinaikar. Our Social Media Intern is Kajal Patel. And our logo Graphic Designer Ashlyn Enokian.

 

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