PANDAS Network announces the Rays of Light Ambassadors

The 2021 PANDAS Network Rays of Light Finalists are:

• Jordana D., 16, Maryland
• Adele M., 7, Oregon
• Trent O. , 15, Texas
• Kendall P., 17, Virginia
• Samuel S., 10, Georgia

They each will receive Virtual Story Mentoring with Dr. Rick Stevenson:

• A rare opportunity to be interviewed by filmmaker Dr. Rick Stevenson, once annually via Zoom for three years
• Automated StoryQ anytime journaling tool throughout the year for three years. A short automated film highlighting their StoryQ journaling at the end of their three-year-long experience is optional
• At the conclusion of year three, they may be selected to be featured in a short film
• Self-discovery and better insight about their journey
• A FREE, rare opportunity with Dr. Rick and StoryQ (valued at $10,000, and free to the selected candidates)

We are also excited to support the 19 StoryQ candidates, who will receive one year access to StoryQ. PANDAS Network Rays of Light StoryQ access provides all candidates with automated online, confidential, video-journaling technology, and a powerful tool for introspection. Its science-based approach to storytelling guides kids through a series of thoughtful and thought-provoking questions. The process helps kids find their own superpower as they find the answers through their journey of self-discovery.

About the Program

The PANDAS Network ‘Rays of Light’ Ambassador Program, launched in 2021, is the first program of its kind that gives center stage and a voice to the children and teens who’ve lived the PANDAS/PANS journey firsthand. PANDAS Network wants kids to have an opportunity to share their stories and safely process their experiences. By illuminating what it means to experience, seek diagnosis and treat this misunderstood medical issue, these stories will allow others to identify and understand PANDAS/PANS from the perspective of these bright, articulate and passionate kids. And perhaps most importantly, the program fosters self-discovery, introspection and oftentimes revelation. Ultimately, we want our kids to feel heard.

About PANDAS Network

PANDAS Network is dedicated to improving the diagnosis and treatment of children with PANDAS (Pediatric Autoimmune Neuropsychiatric Disorders Associated with Streptococcal Infections) and PANS (Pediatric Acute-Onset Neuropsychiatric Syndrome). Armed with an impressive network of doctors, researchers and scientists, PANDAS Network builds public awareness, provides critical support for families and gathers data and resources to better inform parents and the medical community about these devastating and commonly misunderstood disorders. PANDAS Network values the complex needs of families, physicians and researchers.

We are:

• Committed to supporting innovative research within the emergent field of neuro-psycho-immunology
• Dedicated to the empowerment of stakeholders through consistent sharing of research, clinical practices and real-life outcomes
• Driven to dramatically improve public and medical policy that allows for greater access to financial, psychological and medical resources

About Rick Stevenson & StoryQ

Rick Stevenson, founder of StoryQ, introduced Personal Story Mentoring and verbal journaling as a means of helping individuals unlock their “Emotional Immune Systems” through self-discovery and personal narrative empowerment.

StoryQ is an automated online interview technology that helps kids transition through difficult times—all while being a powerful tool for introspection. Using this science-based interview process, kids are given the questions to discover the internal wisdom that lies within them to hone their moral compass to get where they want and need to go. StoryW is an extension of The 5000 Days Project, in which more than 6,000 one-to-one interviews with Dr. Rick were created in response to the struggles of kids after 9/11 to help adolescents ‘find themselves before they love themselves.’ This endeavor illuminates the importance of the story in each of us and the transformation that comes with telling it. Why 5000 days? That’s the length of time it takes for a child to transition through childhood.

Through The 5000 Days Project and the StoryQ Method of inquiry, Rick is on a mission to help create a generation of self-empowered game-changers who realize that the choices they make every moment of every day can help them become exactly who they wish to be.

Rick has filmed nearly 6,000 in-depth interviews with kids and teens from 12 countries as part of a longitudinal project using his storyQ method of inquiry dedicated to raising emotional intelligence. He is a creative and passionate combination of award-winning filmmaker and Doctor of Philosophy from Oxford University. He has directed, produced and/or written 12 feature films and 100 hours of television, working with artists such as Robert Redford, Hugh Grant, Christopher Plummer, Kiefer Sutherland, Meg Ryan and Patrick Dempsey. He’s an author, a public speaker, a husband and a father of four who splits his time between Seattle, Washington and Vancouver, British Columbia.

Examples of Virtual Story Mentoring

To learn more about the 5000 Days Project and Ambassador Program, we suggest viewing these samples, Nicki, Rachel and Luciano for an idea of what to expect, keeping in mind these examples are longitudinal, based on five to ten year interviews. 

PLEASE NOTE: The content may hit close to home for some kids and families, but it is an honest account of adolescence for these teenagers, including their struggles and ultimately, joy.

Ambassador Program FAQs