08/09/2022
I had the privilege to help a client tell her story, the way she wanted to!
This is her story,
“Hi my name is Abby Spankroy-
I am a woman that was born with Turners Syndrome.
Turners Syndrome is a genetic disorder, which a female is born missing a partial or whole X chromosome. I was born missing a partial, so I would be considered Turners Mosaic.
My personal journey with it: I was diagnosed in my mom’s stomach through a karyotype. My parents told me about my diagnosis at 9 years old. At 9 years old I made the decision to take a shot of growth hormone every night, so I can achieve a more normal height. A possible side effect of turners is difficulty in math and spatial awareness. In school I struggled a lot in math and I had a tutor to support me most of my life. A major complication of turners is the inability to get pregnant. I am not able to get pregnant the “normal” way. Science is beautiful though and there are so many possibles if I choose to become a mother.
The symbol of Turners Syndrome is a purple butterfly and ribbon. I tattooed the butterfly and ribbon on my left hip in honor of being a beautiful butterfly sister, and to remind myself of the resilience having turners taught me. The significance behind the butterfly is it represents the metamorphosis from a difficult beginning (the caterpillar) to the emergence as a strong beautiful being (the butterfly). I am now ready to spread my wings and soar into the next journey life takes me. 🦋”
