New Children's Storybook Published: A Zebra Tale from the Immune Deficiency Foundation

TOWSON, Md., March 31, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- The Immune Deficiency Foundation (IDF) proudly announces the publication of A Zebra Tale from the Immune Deficiency Foundation, an illustrated storybook written for children—young and old—living with primary immunodeficiency diseases (PI) and their families to provide hope and encouragement.

A Zebra Tale chronicles the journey of a young horse who faces recurrent infections, struggles to understand why he gets sick often, and ultimately finds contentment and acceptance when he is diagnosed with a primary immunodeficiency disease, discovering that he is a zebra.

Individuals diagnosed with PI often identify with zebras. This is based on an old saying. In medical school, many doctors learn the saying, "when you hear hoof beats, think horses, not zebras" and are taught to focus on the likeliest possibilities when making a diagnosis, not the unusual ones. However, sometimes physicians need to look for a zebra. Patients with PI are the zebras of the medical world. So IDF says THINK ZEBRA!

"Members of the primary immunodeficiency community have long awaited the publication of A Zebra Tale," explains Marcia Boyle, IDF President & Founder, "With a touching story created by a mother of a child with primary immunodeficiency and beautiful illustrations, developed by a patient, this storybook was truly a labor of love. It will be a meaningful resource for zebras of all ages, helping them to cope with the emotional impact of living with primary immunodeficiency and to understand that they are not alone. We are so proud to introduce this delightful story during National Primary Immunodeficiency Awareness Month."

IDF is grateful to the American Legion Child Welfare Foundation for their support of this book and to the healthcare professionals, educators, adults and children in the IDF community for their input throughout the creation of the story.

Individuals and families can download or order a hard copy of A Zebra Tale at www.primaryimmune.org/idf-publications.

About The Immune Deficiency Foundation
The Immune Deficiency Foundation (IDF), founded in 1980, is the national non-profit patient organization dedicated to improving the diagnosis, treatment and quality of life of persons with primary immunodeficiency diseases through advocacy, education and research.

To learn more about IDF, visit www.primaryimmune.org, or call 800-296-4433.

SOURCE Immune Deficiency Foundation

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http://www.primaryimmune.org