The ASPECT intensive training brought together 11 people from 7 states + Canada, all with Thyroid Eye Disease and Graves’ disease. The training was both online and in-person, with two online sessions in July 2026 and two days in person in Chicago on August 24 and 25, 2026. Topics ranged from the art and craft of storytelling, best practices for delivery, practical application of skills, and use of shared medical terminology. Each participant was assigned to a buddy and a storytelling coach to further refine their stories. All trainees received a professionally recorded video of them sharing their story.

This program was supported with funding from Amgen and Viridian Therapeutics.