Kirsten Norgaard Consulting

11/10/2025

💙 Real support is active, not abstract.

When someone is struggling — whether it’s illness, caregiving, loss, or burnout — “Let me know what you need” can feel impossible to answer.
Most people don’t know what they need. They’re just trying to keep breathing.

That’s why I love this list: it turns vague kindness into tangible care.
It’s the difference between words and presence.

💬 Try:
   •   “I made extra food — can I drop some off?”
   •   “I’m free this weekend if you want quiet company.”
   •   “No pressure to reply — I’m just thinking of you.”

In advocacy, medicine, and daily life, these small shifts matter. They build trust, safety, and connection — the foundation of everything healing.

📍Be specific. Be gentle. Stay consistent.
That’s how we show up for each other.

09/16/2025

🌟 From Survivor to Supporter 🌟

Have you ever wondered how to turn your health journey into advocacy?

I’m excited to be speaking at Ask an Advocate! Starting Out Edition hosted by Greater National Advocates on September 25 at 5pm CT (3 PT | 4 MT | 6 ET).

I’ll be sharing from my work in non-profit leadership, clinical trials, and medtech innovation — including real-time cortisol testing and rare disease advocacy — alongside fellow advocate Megan Karanfil, BCPA.

📍 Online via Zoom (registration required)
🔗 Sign up here: https://tinyurl.com/AskAnAdvocateS2S

This conversation is for anyone ready to move from survivor to supporter and use their lived experience to help others. 💙

09/02/2025

✈️ Heading from Oregon to Boston today for the Global Genes Rare Drug Development Symposium!

This conference brings together innovators, researchers, and advocates all working toward one goal: creating real solutions for the rare disease community.

I’m honored to be part of it and excited for the conversations, collaborations, and breakthroughs that can help move lifesaving ideas forward.

Stay tuned for updates from Cambridge — it’s going to be a powerful week 💙🧬✨

08/13/2025

Some days, you’ll feel strong and unshakable.
Some days, you’ll feel scattered and worn thin.
Most days, you’ll be a mix of both.

But every single day you keep going — showing up for yourself, for your community, for the work that matters. You’re standing, fighting, healing, growing, and trying.

That’s resilience. That’s advocacy. And it’s beautiful.

If you’re ready for support navigating complex systems, building patient-centered strategies, or turning lived experience into lasting change, I can help. Let’s work together.

07/19/2025

This is my son, Tristan. Smiling like a superhero… just hours after nearly losing his life to an adrenal crisis.

We made it to the ER in time this time. But what about next time? What about the kids whose symptoms aren’t recognized fast enough? What about the families who don’t have a cortisol monitor in their corner?

That’s why I’m building CortiCheck — a real-time cortisol test for patients like Tristan, so parents, caregivers, and even ER doctors can stop guessing.

This is for every family who’s ever had to fight for answers.
🩸 We’re fighting for them — and we’re not stopping.
Please donate and share to help us build it! https://gofund.me/1349d56f


www.CortiCheck.com

07/06/2025

You don’t have to wait until you’re “better” to take control of your complex care.
Hard truth: the medical system rarely waits for you to feel ready. So we don’t either.

In my consulting, I help people living with rare diseases, chronic illness, and complex medical needs move forward anyway — overwhelmed, anxious, grieving, uncertain — all of it is welcome here.

Because sometimes the doing — the advocacy, the second opinion, the new plan — is what starts the real healing.

✨ If you’re ready to get unstuck, I’m here to help you lead the way.

07/02/2025

🩺 Patient Advocate & Complex Case Consultant
📌 Helping patients and families navigate rare, complex, and misunderstood medical conditions — when the system says no, I help you find yes.
📜 Deep experience overturning insurance denials, securing second opinions, coordinating with top specialists, and guiding families through clinical trials.
💡 I take on the research, calls, paperwork, and strategy — so you can focus on healing, not fighting.
🌿 Certified Health Coach (Harvard) | 17+ years of real-world rare disease advocacy | Personal experience turning “impossible” into outcomes.

DM to work together — let’s build your plan, your team, your peace of mind.

06/27/2025

🚨 These cuts will hurt so many people! Please call or email your reps 🚨

Your advocacy can stop devastating budget cuts that hurt 1+ million Oregonians with disabilities!

06/24/2025

🚨 Big News from the Rare Disease Frontlines 🚨

After 17 years of advocacy, legislation, and lived experience as a rare disease parent, I’m proud to publicly launch my latest project: CortiCheck™ — the first handheld real-time cortisol monitor for adrenal insufficiency and beyond.

This device could mean faster treatment decisions, fewer hospitalizations, and more lives saved — starting with my son’s.

🔬 Built in partnership with brilliant researchers.
🩸 Powered by just a single drop of blood.
💡 Designed by patients, for patients.

This is personal. And it’s time.

Join me in bringing CortiCheck to life.
📲 www.corticheck.com

04/26/2025

03/11/2025

If you are reading this then I want you to stop and think for a sec. Think of the darkest space you’ve been in. Don’t dwell there, just look back long enough to grasp just how far you’ve come. You have moved mountains, jumped hoops, made significant changes and look at you now! If you’re still weak look no through the muck and more keep walking, keep fighting, keep growing. You’ve got this 🌟

11/10/2024

Sending everyone the strength and courage to keep trying today 🌻