Due to the recent storm, the dates of our Speaker Series have changed. Please see the new dates for each event below.
At The Pennfield School, fostering a culture of access, inclusion, and belonging is central to who we are. This February, the office of DEIB is proud to present Care for Rare, a meaningful initiative dedicated to understanding, supporting, and empowering individuals in our community and beyond who are living with rare medical conditions. Aligned with Rare Disease Day—recognized globally on the last day of February, often Leap Day, the rarest day of the year—this program invites students, families, and faculty to learn, listen, and connect through powerful stories and shared experiences.
Beyond the Diagnosis: A Month-Long Gallery Experience
Throughout the month of February, families are invited to visit the Beyond the Diagnosis gallery exhibit on campus. This moving collection uses art and storytelling to highlight the human side of rare disease experiences, encouraging empathy, awareness, and meaningful conversations within our community.
Care for Rare Week | NEW DATES: February 20, and March 2-6
Beginning February 20, students will hear from a series of inspiring guest speakers during morning assembly. Each speaker offers a unique perspective on resilience, advocacy, and living with or supporting individuals with rare conditions:
- February 20: Patricia & Hana Weltin – Beyond the Diagnosis Founder and CEO Patricia Weltin will open the speaker series alongside her daughter, Hana, who lives with Ehlers-Danlos syndrome, a connective tissue disorder that affects multiple systems of the body. Together, they will reflect on advocacy, visibility, and what it means to be seen beyond a diagnosis.
Community Conversation | Monday, March 2
Everyone is invited to a special community-wide event on Monday, March 2. Students, faculty, and families are encouraged to wear zebra stripes, the international symbol for rare disease awareness. The day will feature guest speaker Morgan Leigh, who will share her inspiring story of resilience living with a rare, life-threatening Arteriovenous Malformation (AVM), surviving a massive stroke at age 22, and embracing life with strength, gratitude, and hope. Her presentation will be followed by a Community Conversation panel discussion with patients, advocates, families, and allies, offering space for reflection, learning, and connection.
If you would like to join us for the Community Conversation with Morgan Leigh on Monday, March 2, please fill out the form below.
Our speaker series continues each morning at 8:15 a.m. with special presentations from families within our community and friends of Pennfield.
- NEW Date – March 3: Abby (Pennfield sibling) – Abby will share her perspective as a young person living with hearing loss due to a rare unilateral absent auditory nerve, offering students an honest and inspiring seven-year-old’s view on resilience and inclusion.
- NEW Date – March 4: Joyce Family & The Four Hearts Foundation – The Joyce family will share their journey with their daughter Tenley’s extremely rare disease, CASK, and their advocacy work through The Four Hearts Foundation, a local organization instrumental in creating the Portsmouth community playground on Turnpike Avenue designed for all ages and abilities.
- NEW Date – March 5: Kiely Family – While not a rare condition globally, the Kiely family will speak about living with life-threatening milk allergies—rare within our Pennfield community—and the importance of awareness, education, and supporting those with serious medical needs.
- NEW Date – March 6: Addison (Student speaker) – A student volunteer with Clagett Sailing, Addison will speak about supporting sailors with disabilities and helping create opportunities for athletes of all abilities through coaching, competition, and inclusive community programs.
Through Care for Rare, Pennfield continues its commitment to nurturing empathy, celebrating diverse experiences, and empowering students to be thoughtful, informed members of their communities. We look forward to a meaningful month of awareness, compassion, and shared learning.
bus leo.