Help us to defend our title as the Best Science and Medicine Podcast! Go to podcastawards.com and select “DNA Today” in the Science and Medicine category. Bonus if you tweet/post that you nominated DNA Today (and tag us), then we will share your post and give you a shoutout on the show as a thank you. You have the power to get DNA Today nominated again!

We are excited to share that our guest for this episode is Atticus Shaffer, the actor known for playing Brick Heck on the ABC sitcom The Middle (2009–2018)! He was also recently in Netflix’s Never Have I Ever, created by Mindy Kaling. Many fans may not realize that Atticus has a genetic disorder, he was born with Osteogenesis imperfecta (OI). On this episode, Atticus speaks about his experience living with OI and his acting career.

On This Episode We Discuss:

Growing up on the set of ABC’s The Middle
Similarities between Atticus and his character, Brick
Living with Osteogenesis imperfecta (OI)
What Atticus wants healthcare providers to know about OI when talking with and educating patients
Types of OI and the diagnostic journey
Treatments for OI
Advice for kids or other people with OI or other conditions with short stature
Future projects on the horizon

If you want to see what Atticus has been up to in his years since The Middle ended, check out Netflix’s Never Have I Ever, Inventions that change history, and his gaming account on Twitch! You can also keep up with him on YouTube and Instagram.

If you liked this episode, you may also enjoy our episode 176 with Glee star Lauren Potter (episode 176) where she shared her experience with Down syndrome.

Stay tuned for the next new episode of DNA Today on July 15th, 2022, where we’ll be joined by Janelle and Mikayla of GC Prep to discuss genetic counseling program applications! New episodes are released on Fridays. In the meantime, you can binge over 190 other episodes on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, streaming on the website, or any other podcast player by searching, “DNA Today”. Episodes since 2021 are also recorded with video which you can watch on our YouTube channel.

DNA Today is hosted and produced by Kira Dineen. Our social media lead is Corinne Merlino. Our video lead is Amanda Andreoli.

See what else we are up to on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, YouTube and our website, DNApodcast.com. Questions/inquiries can be sent to info@DNApodcast.com.

PerkinElmer Genomics is a global leader in genetic testing focusing on rare diseases, inherited disorders, newborn screening, and hereditary cancer. Testing services support the full continuum of care from preconception and prenatal to neonatal, pediatric, and adult. Testing options include sequencing for targeted genes, multiple genes, the whole exome or genome, and copy number variations. Using a simple saliva or blood sample, PerkinElmer Genomics answers complex genetic questions that can proactively inform patient care and end the diagnostic odyssey for families. Learn more at PerkinElmerGenomics.com. (SPONSORED)

HemoShear Therapeutics is a clinical stage company developing new treatments for patients with rare metabolic disorders. By partnering with fellow biopharma companies, HemoShear is accelerating their drug discovery and development programs in metabolic disorders, and also liver diseases and gout. HemoShear is currently conducting a clinical trial for a new therapy for propionic and methylmalonic Acidemia. Learn more about these conditions and the clinical trial in an upcoming episode of DNA Today! You can also visit hemoshear.com. (SPONSORED)

In my free time during the summer I am usually with friends at our apartment’s pool. My spot is right next to the water reading a book, most recently “A Crack In Creation”, which might come up in a future episode. I like keeping cool by sipping on some ice tea while I read, but I don’t like all the sugar. So I’ve been enjoying Sound drinks instead. Sound makes unsweetened, organic sparkling waters made with tea and botanicals. No natural flavors or sugar. My fav is the blueberry with cinnamon and hibiscus tea. Try it out by ordering at DrinkSound.com using promo code DNATODAY for 20% off! Plus you are supporting the podcast. (SPONSORED)

A bunch of my friends at my apartment have dogs and I love being able to offer them a treat when I take them for a walk or when they visit my place. So I got Sundays for Dogs. Now this is dog food, but can also be used as dog treats. My friend Annie’s dog, Frank, gets so excited when he sees me, and if I’m being honest, I think it’s more the food than me. Sundays For Dogs is real food formulated by a Vet with high quality meat, veggies, fruit and superfoods, then air-dried to perfection. Since you are a DNA Today listener, you can visit SundaysForDogs.com and use code “DNATODAY” for 35% off your first order. Support your pup and the podcast! (SPONSORED)