Essential to consistent patient compliance is understanding, but not only by the patient. It is just as vital for their family, friends, and especially their siblings to also understand and support their compliance. In order to illustrate how diet and medication affect body function, "The Carnitine Story" takes them on a tour of the body at the cellular level where they will see how all parts of the body are dependent upon what they ingest and how the body is cared for as a whole.

Secondarily, this story is a unique method of educating and inspiring the scientific community. As a fresh alternative to the traditional flowcharts and chemical formulae of metabolic cycles, "The Carnitine Story provides a new look", not only at the functions of organelles of the cell, but also at the many functions of carnitine. Perhaps this will also spawn a new wave of innovative carnitine research.

The following story was developed as a medical educational tool and has since been developed into a coloring book, epic poem, and stage production which can also be found on this web site. Also included are images from the stage production and of the reminder figurines. Although "The Carnitine Story" specifically addresses carnitine therapy, the theme of the story is applicable to many types of therapy that require a strict diet and/or compliance with regular dosing schedules. "The Carnitine Story" can be helpful to those children who are receiving a therapy that does not involve carnitine but does require similar compliance. At the conclusion of narrative, the child who is receiving a different therapy should discuss with a caregiver or healthcare professional how the underlying theme of "The Carnitine Story" applies specifically to him or her.