Tag: medical zebra

When Your Child Is a Medical Zebra… or an Okapi

As I continue sharing our journey with Opsoclonus Myoclonus Syndrome (OMS), I wanted to highlight a valuable resource that may help bring clarity to those who have never heard of this rare condition—or can’t quite grasp how it manifests. Especially When Your Child Is a Medical Zebra… or an Okapi.

There is an excellent video from NORD (National Organization of Rare Disorders) that explains the symptoms of OMS in a simple, visual way. You can watch it here:
👉 NORD OMS Video

For those of you walking this road alongside a loved one, or just wanting to understand better, this is a great place to start. The visual presentation of opsoclonus (uncontrolled, rapid eye movements) and myoclonus (jerky muscle movements) can be difficult to explain—but this video does an incredible job.

But Here’s the Thing… My Son’s Case Wasn’t That Clear.

I wish our experience had looked as “textbook” as this video. But the truth is, my son is what the medical world affectionately calls a zebra—and, if I’m being honest, maybe even something rarer than that.

Let me explain.

In medicine, there’s a saying: “When you hear hoofbeats, think horses, not zebras.” It means doctors are taught to consider the most common explanation for symptoms before jumping to something rare or exotic. But for some patients—like my son—the common answer never fits. That’s when doctors begin to consider the “zebras”: rare diagnoses that don’t follow the usual rules.

And then, there’s my son.

He doesn’t just check the zebra box. Honestly, he confuses even the most seasoned specialists. He doesn’t follow the standard presentation or response patterns. His symptoms come and go unpredictably. His labs are often conflicting. Treatments sometimes work, sometimes don’t, and sometimes cause reactions no one can explain.

So, we’ve taken to calling him our medical okapi.

If you don’t know what an okapi is, that’s kind of the point. They’re one of the most unique, rare, and mysterious animals on the planet. Most people think they’re made up—until they see one. They look like a cross between a zebra and a giraffe, with their own unique quirks. They’re rare. They’re beautiful. And they don’t fit into any neat little category.

Just like my boy.

The Struggle With the Unknown

For families dealing with a rare condition like OMS, there’s already so much uncertainty. But when your child doesn’t even fit into the rare diagnosis they’ve been given, the confusion is multiplied.

Doctors are unsure. Therapies are trial and error. Even the support groups—so full of comfort and community—sometimes can’t offer guidance because your child’s experience is just so different.

And let me tell you… that’s isolating.

But it’s also where I’ve seen God show up the most.

In the absence of clarity, He gave peace.
>In the absence of answers, He gave direction.
>In the absence of a roadmap, He gave presence.

I’ve learned that not everything needs to be understood to be held by the Lord. We don’t need certainty to be carried.

A Visual That Helps Others Understand

That’s why resources like the NORD video matter. They open a door to understanding. They help make the invisible more visible—for family, friends, teachers, and even medical professionals. Even if our story doesn’t align exactly with what’s shown, it’s still a helpful tool to begin conversations.

Because awareness leads to empathy.
Empathy leads to support.
And support makes all the difference when you’re navigating the impossible.

So What Now?

As we continue sharing more about our journey this month, I’ll be diving deeper into how OMS reshaped not just our son’s life, but our whole family’s. I’m hoping to share from his perspective as well—what he remembers, what he felt, and how he sees things now. There are hard questions we’re starting to ask—and bravely beginning to answer.

This series is for awareness, yes—but it’s also for the ones who feel alone in this. The ones parenting their own little zebra… or okapi. The ones trusting God for each next breath, even when the path ahead feels dark and unfamiliar.

Thank you for being here. Thank you for caring.

Let’s keep learning together.

Reach Out

💛 If you’re navigating life’s hard places and need a safe space to heal, grow, or just breathe—Circle of Hope Counseling Services is here for you.

We offer trauma-informed, faith-filled therapy for individuals, couples, and families.

📞 Reach out today to schedule your first session (KY residents only) or learn more: Circle of Hope Counseling Services.

You don’t have to walk this journey alone. Hope starts here.

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