The author (left) and her sister Kim the summer before Kim passed away. “It’s Rare Disease Day today,” I told her, trying to sound nonchalant. My sister Kim opened her eyes and shot me a sideways glance. I paused briefly and then quietly added, “But ... it would be a pretty poignant end to your story.”Earlier that day, when Kathleen, my other sister, told me Feb. 29 is Rare Disease Day, we had both agreed that it would be a fitting day for Kim to die. The author (right) and her sister Kathleen (left) take one of their final walks with their sister Kim (center) around the halls of the hospice center days before Kim passed away.

Source: Huffington Post February 27, 2026 20:45 UTC