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A Philly-area woman’s medical mystery leads to a diagnosis shared by only 43 families worldwide

Multiple specialists and medical tests offered no diagnosis to unite Barbara Small's baffling constellation of symptoms. Then her neurologist sent her for a referral that changed everything.

Barbara Small's baffling symptoms took her to multiple doctors before the source was discovered. From left are her grandson Declan Ward, 4; David and Barbara Small; daughter Lindsay Ward holding 10-month-old Jason; and son-in-law Matt Ward.
Barbara Small's baffling symptoms took her to multiple doctors before the source was discovered. From left are her grandson Declan Ward, 4; David and Barbara Small; daughter Lindsay Ward holding 10-month-old Jason; and son-in-law Matt Ward.Read moreCHARLES FOX / Staff Photographer