NORD has strongly supported the establishment and expansion of the Compassionate Allowances Program created four years ago by Social Security Commissioner Michael Astrue and his staff.  This program fast-tracks the review of applications for disability assistance from people with devastating and, in many cases, rare diseases.

To illustrate the impact this program has had on the lives of many patients and their families, we are sharing with you the following story sent to us by a young wife and mother named Katie. read more >