Fractured Zebra Families

The EDS Zebra Club is home to many Fractured Zebra Families each of whom found themselves falsely accused of child abuse when simply seeking medical care for their medically fragile child.

Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome is one of many medical conditions that can mimic child abuse, and it is our hope that by sharing these brave family’s stories that we can help in the efforts to bring about much needed change and protection for the families of medically fragile children.

The EDS Zebra Club works closely with the incredible advocates, directors and state organizers from the nonprofit You Are The Power to not only offer support to our Fractured Zebra Families, but to help spread awareness of what’s happening and advocate for important change to help protect the families of medically fragile children.

Many families are being unfairly torn apart simply for seeking care for their medically fragile children. It often begins here in Georgia with a visit to Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta (CHOA) where a Child Abuse Pediatrician (CAP) misdiagnoses issues caused by Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome and other differential diagnoses as child abuse. This allegation is being made in just a matter of hours with DFCS immediately stepping in to separate these families. Many times our families have been falsely accused and up until the recent unanimous passing of Georgia SB 259 “Ridges Law” they weren’t even entitled to a second medical opinion to prove their innocence.

Our most recent Fractured Zebra Family to finally be reunited was the Timms Family of Calhoun, GA who battled for 3 long years to bring their sweet boy home and spent close to $100,000 in legal fees simply because Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome was misdiagnosed as child abuse. They are trying their best to move forward and start this new chapter together, but so many precious years with their son were lost that they can never get back.

You Are The Power has stood alongside the Timms and so many other factually innocent families who have been unfairly torn apart. They are leading the charge here in Georgia and across the US to bring about important changes to policies with DFCS and to help enact laws to better protect the families of medically fragile children including those with Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome.

We are so grateful for the commitment and hard work of You Are The Power and all they’ve done and continue to do to help the EDS Community and the families of medically fragile children.

11Alive Investigative Reporter Rebecca Lindstrom’s “Help That Harms” series tells the heartbreaking stories of what’s happening to the families of medically fragile children here in Georgia. This series also includes some of our Fractured Zebra Families.

View The “Helps That Harms” Video

We were present for the very important viewing and panel discussion of the “Help That Harms” hosted by Rebecca and You Are The Power at the Georgia State Capitol in February 2025 alongside these fractured families and the volunteers who have been advocating so hard for them. This same day, legislation was introduced to finally provide parents with the right to seek out a second opinion when accused of child abuse. This is a start, but Georgia families will continue to be torn apart until more can be done to protect them.

The Hernandez and Williams Family hold a special place in our heart as it’s because of this foster family’s fierce devotion to do everything possible to reunite an innocent family that our eyes were opened to what was happening to the families of medically fragile children here in Georgia. We had no idea that at the time families weren’t even entitled to a second medical opinion to prove their innocence once accused.

These brave families and their determination to stand for the truth has helped tremendously in paving the way for much important change and awareness. When Matt and Tuckey chose to bravely step forward and share their story it led to the launch of the powerful series by 11Alive’s Rebecca Lindstrom, “Help That Harms” which gave so many families a voice and brought much needed awareness.

After more than 700 days, a jury found Matt and Tuckey Not Guilty on All Charges and their precious family can finally be together again. We are so happy for them, but there is so much time lost that this beautiful family can never get back.
Click below to read more on their story.

Although our site highlights the stories of families with Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome, it’s important to know that this is happening to other families of medically fragile children across the US.

Following her own encounter with these types of false accusations simply for seeking medical care for her child, Holly created Parents Behind The Pinwheels to provide a platform for families to share their stories publicly and to raise awareness. We are so grateful for all she has done and continues to do to support the families of medically fragile children. You can view the heartbreaking stories from other families on The Parents Behind The Pinwheels Facebook Page.