Client Stories
As a family with a child, who is now an adult, born with a complex medical condition being introduced to Dita was a blessing for us. At the time as young parents we were swept into the diagnosis and the complexities both emotional and medically that come with that diagnosis. Dita helped guide our family through the confusing and still often directionless system. Not only was she able to direct us concerning our medical needs she was able to touch us and always ease our concerns through the emotional aspects. We were on a spinning wheel and Dita was able to guide us off with her knowledge and concrete direction to help us coordinate care and get a health team plan in place. As our son got older, she was there to help him recognize his strengths, and work to overcome the obstacles. Giving him a path by listening to his hopes and concerns and working with him on a path filled with possibilities. Dita’s knowledge combined with her compassionate gentle nature was the perfect combination for a child with challenges (and our family). We still draw on her words and reach out for direction today. Anyone who could have the chance to have her as part of their supports would be thankful!
Marie, Thomas, and Mike
I turned to Dita Obler for guidance when my husband and I received a prenatal genetic diagnosis for our second baby. We were overwhelmed and worried about all the possible scenarios and outcomes for our son. Dita patiently talked through all the questions and fears we had, with compassion, care and warmth. She counseled and guided us to look at the situation from different viewpoints, and took a holistic view of our family as a whole. She set up an introduction to one of the top pediatricians in the country dealing with our son's condition, which was a key turning point enabling us to make decisions and face the future with realistic expectations. Dita's professional expertise coupled with her deep humanity and compassion helped us feel understood and listened to, as we faced the toughest situation of our lives. She made the unbearable bearable. I can recommend Dita in the strongest possible terms to any parent or couple facing a genetic diagnosis in their child.
Val
Dita Obler has been a vital asset in navigating through our medical journey. She sought out specialists and was able to investigate the genetic disorder that runs in our family giving us the opportunity to get ahead of it and receive the best care. Dita serves as our advocate and is able to mediate on our behalf with current doctors, will find the appropriate specialists when necessary and will seek out the best laboratory for tests and sources/sites for supplementation. Dita has a very wide network of experts in many fields and is able to confer with when needing more information. Dita performs these services with a professional, meticulous, compassionate and extremely warm demeanor. She cares deeply for every family she works with and has always made us feel extremely important. We hold Dita in the highest regard and would recommend her to any one who came asking. There is none better — a consummate professional.
Kim and John
Client Stories
As a family with a child—who is now an adult—born with a complex medical condition, being introduced to Dita was a blessing for us. At the time as young parents, we were swept into the diagnosis and the complexities both emotional and medically that come with that diagnosis. Dita helped guide our family through the confusing and still often directionless system. Not only was she able to direct us concerning our medical needs, she was able to touch us and always ease our concerns through the emotional aspects. We were on a spinning wheel, and Dita was able to guide us off with her knowledge and concrete direction to help us coordinate care and get a health team plan in place. As our son got older, she was there to help him recognize his strengths and work to overcome the obstacles. She listened to his hopes and concerns and worked with him on a path filled with possibilities. Dita’s knowledge combined with her compassionate gentle nature was the perfect combination for a child with challenges (and our family). We still draw on her words and reach out for direction today. Anyone who could have the chance to have her as part of their supports would be thankful!
Marie, Thomas, and Mike
I turned to Dita Obler for guidance when my husband and I received a prenatal genetic diagnosis for our second baby. We were overwhelmed and worried about all the possible scenarios and outcomes for our son. Dita patiently talked through all the questions and fears we had with compassion, care, and warmth. She counseled and guided us to look at the situation from different viewpoints and took a holistic view of our family as a whole. She set up an introduction to one of the top pediatricians in the country dealing with our son's condition, which was a key turning point enabling us to make decisions and face the future with realistic expectations. Dita's professional expertise coupled with her deep humanity and compassion helped us feel understood and listened to as we faced the toughest situation of our lives. She made the unbearable bearable. I can recommend Dita in the strongest possible terms to any parent or couple facing a genetic diagnosis in their child.
Val
Dita Obler has been a vital asset in navigating through our medical journey. She sought out specialists and was able to investigate the genetic disorder that runs in our family, giving us the opportunity to get ahead of it and receive the best care. Dita serves as our advocate and is able to mediate on our behalf with current doctors, will find the appropriate specialists when necessary, and will seek out the best laboratory for tests and sources/sites for supplementation. Dita has a very wide network of experts in many fields and is able to confer with when needing more information. Dita performs these services with a professional, meticulous, compassionate, and extremely warm demeanor. She cares deeply for every family she works with and has always made us feel extremely important. We hold Dita in the highest regard and would recommend her to any one who came asking. There is none better — a consummate professional.
Kim and John
We met Dita during the darkest chapter of our lives. Our infant son had passed away at Boston Children’s Hospital in the Cardiac ICU. Months later we decided to participate in a family bereavement group sponsored by BCH. Dita was one of the facilitators. It was during that group that we first got a real glimpse of the kind of thoughtful well informed and respectful practitioner that she is. We later met privately with her for genetic cardiology counseling as a follow up to our child’s care at BCH. We were grappling with unanswered questions around our child’s diagnosis and the question of becoming pregnant again after our loss. Our sessions with Dita highlighted several aspects of her counseling style and professionalism:
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Her caring manner put us at ease and fostered deep dialogue.
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She made the latest research accessible with clear and detailed explanations.
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She provided nuanced counsel tailored for us.
We’d highly recommend Dita Obler to any individual or family in need of Genetic Counseling. Dita was a steady and comforting voice during a confusing time. She laid out the data in such an organized way that we understood it clearly. She tuned in to our concerns and goals as parents and gave us feedback that was relevant and motivating. Dita’s gentle and mindful demeanor was always present. She really cared about us as individuals not just clients.
Kemi + Mike T
What My Clients Say...
Our health care system is geared to help resolve the medical needs of the patient. There is precious little to handle anything else beyond. When a loved one receives a genetic diagnosis, the first reactions are of surprise, followed by different emotions, and then the realization that life now has new, complex dimensions. The family needs help, education, and access to resources. The loved one needs sustained, consistent care to overcome the diagnosis and lead as ‘normal’ a life as possible.
More than a decade ago, Dita was there for us. She helped us navigate the maze of the hospital and health care systems. She coordinated with many specialists in bringing us up to speed on what was going, where the medical research stood, what was needed right away, and what we could expect in the long run. She does this with a rare sensitivity that comes as close to walking in the family’s shoes as possible.
An example, Dita personally took me to a genetics conference about my child’s condition, and gave me a 20 page powerpoint presentation that she had collaborated on with some physicians. I shared it with my child’s school, many years later, they got it. My child’s experience at school has seen a sea change since.
Many families are apprehensive seeking out someone like Dita. The natural tendency is to not want to share sensitive details. At the very minimum, you will leave with a very different perspective of your situation.
A father
It is difficult to put into words the gratitude we have for the caring support we received from Dita Obler during one of the most challenging times in our lives. We were more than overwhelmed when our youngest son was diagnosed with a rare form of a rare disorder and would need multiple surgeries including cardiac and neuro-surgery. Not only did Dita care for our emotional well-being but she helped us navigate through a complicated diagnosis, connect with the appropriate medical teams and helps us understand the genetic implications for our family. Her dedication to our son and our family was extraordinary. I recall one specific instance where we received upsetting news after an angiogram. Dita was instrumental in helping us meet immediately with the surgeon, which helped put our minds at ease. She worked to get all our questions answered, helped us generate a plan and provided a well-needed shoulder to cry on. I would highly recommend Dita to any family in need. When facing complicated medical issues, she is an amazing resource for medical information, healthcare navigation and emotional support. The positive impact she had on our son’s health and our whole family’s well-being is priceless.
Kathy and Fred Marshall