The Why
A Future Designed for Every Brain
Liss Not Less formed to build a neurodivergent-friendly future grounded in earlier diagnosis, expanded research, and communities intentionally designed for every brain to belong.
The Challenge of Rare
When it comes to rare brain malformations like lissencephaly, no two journeys are the same. For many families, the path to an answer is a "diagnostic odyssey"—a long, isolating search for a name to give their child’s symptoms. Rare conditions are often frequently underfunded and overlooked, leaving parents to navigate a complex medical landscape with more questions than answers.
In the case of our daughters, Callie and Nola, their atypical presentations—which lack the common early indicator of seizures or a currently identifiable gene mutation—highlighted a critical truth: we can help the understanding of lissencephaly evolve. We founded Liss Not Less because we believe that a rare diagnosis should never mean a rare amount of support.
The Why
A Future Designed for Every Brain
Liss Not Less formed to build a neurodivergent-friendly future grounded in earlier diagnosis, expanded research, and communities intentionally designed for every brain to belong.
The Challenge of Rare
When it comes to rare brain malformations like lissencephaly, no two journeys are the same. For many families, the path to an answer is a "diagnostic odyssey"—a long, isolating search for a name to give their child’s symptoms. Rare conditions are often frequently underfunded and overlooked, leaving parents to navigate a complex medical landscape with more questions than answers.
In the cause of our daughters, Callie and Nola, their atypical presentations—which lack the common early indicator of seizures or a currently identifiable gene mutation—highlighted a critical truth: we can help the understanding of lissencephaly evolve. We founded Liss Not Less because we believe that a rare diagnosis should never mean a rare amount of support.
Our Values in Action
These are the pillars that guide every connection we make and dollar we raise.
Discovery
Knowledge Changes Lives
We are committed to advancing understanding of rare neurological conditions. Through our special purpose fund at Children’s National Medical Center—The Integration of Genomics and Machine Learning—we fund research that uses AI to better understand brain malformations.
Belonging
No One Navigates Alone
No family should navigate a rare diagnosis alone. We cultivate connection and shared experiences, ensuring that families have a village that truly "gets it." We are building a network where neurodivergent individuals and their caregivers feel seen, supported, and valued.
Design
Inclusion by Intent
We believe inclusion should never be an afterthought. We advocate for healthcare, education, and community systems—like accessible playgrounds—that are intentionally built to support diverse brains from the very start.
Dignity
Different is Not Less
At the heart of everything we do is a simple, unwavering truth: Different is not less. We affirm the inherent worth, humanity, and limitless potential of every neurodivergent life. We don't just advocate for a "seat at the table"; we advocate for a world that celebrates the seat.
The Spark & The Success
What began as an exchange of ideas quickly gained momentum. In 2025, for Lissencephaly Awareness Day, we organized our first fundraiser in the DMV under the name "The Liss Sisters." The response from our community was overwhelming. We raised nearly $20,000, which allowed us to establish a Special Purpose Fund at Children’s National dedicated to using advanced genetics and AI to better understand and diagnose brain malformations like lissencephaly. This research could help uncover causes, improve early detection, and one day lead to new treatments. Every dollar donated to this fund is used to further this research.
The Meeting
In late 2024, we were introduced by a shared clinical team at Children’s National Medical Center. Within a week, Chelsea and Rachael met for drinks in Alexandria. The connection was instant—not just between two mothers, but between two entire families. As the dads and girls met, as grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins met, our villages expanded.
Our Story
From Two Families to One Mission
The Meeting
In late 2024, we were introduced by a shared clinical team at Children’s National Medical Center. Within a week, Chelsea and Rachael met for drinks in Alexandria. The connection was instant—not just between two mothers, but between two entire families. As the dads and girls met, as grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins met, our villages expanded.
Hope in Motion
Bonded by shared experiences navigating rare neurological diagnoses, we found something more valuable than just support—we found hope. We began sharing the small wins and the big ideas: which therapies were moving the needle, how to navigate equipment, and how to advocate for the best possible care.
By learning from each other’s journeys, we weren't just coping; we were giving Callie and Nola a better, more supported life. We realized that when parents share their collective wisdom, the "impossible" becomes manageable. Our daughters became our greatest teachers, showing us that their potential was limitless when backed by a community that refused to see them as "less."
The Spark & The Success
What began as an exchange of ideas quickly gained momentum. In 2025, for Lissencephaly Awareness Day, we organized our first fundraiser in the DMV under the name "The Liss Sisters." The response from our community was overwhelming. We raised nearly $20,000, which allowed us to establish a Special Purpose Fund at Children’s National dedicated to using advanced genetics and AI to better understand and diagnose brain malformations like lissencephaly. This research could help uncover causes, improve early detection, and one day lead to new treatments. Every dollar donated to this fund is used to further this research.
Becoming Liss Not Less
As we formalized our work as a 501(c)(3), we knew we needed a name that reflected our expanded vision. We became Liss Not Less to turn our personal exchange of hope into a public promise: a commitment to advancing research, fostering belonging, and helping build a neurodivergent friendly future.
