In Oakville, Ontario, strength has a name: Riham. A civil engineer by profession and a mother of three boys, Riham's life changed three years ago when her middle son was diagnosed with primary adrenal insufficiency caused by X-linked Adrenoleukodystrophy (ALD) — a rare genetic condition that can lead to life-threatening adrenal crises and devastating neurological decline.
Soon after, her eldest son was also diagnosed with ALD. Her youngest was spared. Because of early diagnosis, her sons now receive regular monitoring and proactive care — something many families do not get until it is too late.
Determined to ensure no family faces this journey alone, Riham and her husband founded ALD Hope, raising awareness about ALD and adrenal insufficiency in both English and Arabic while advocating for newborn screening and better support for families.
One of her newest initiatives is the creation of Newborn ALD Care Packages — resources designed to support families whose babies screen positive for ALD. These packages provide guidance, emotional support, and practical information during the earliest and often most overwhelming moments of diagnosis. She is currently distributing them to children's hospitals across Ontario.
Because every family deserves support from day one.