Living with Turners Syndrome

So what is Turners Syndrome? Basically it’s a Chromosome abnormality affecting only females caused by a complete and partial deletion of the ‘X’ chromosome. 1 in every 2,000 female births results in the baby being born with Turners.

OK, scientific part over. Girls or women with Turners Syndrome may only have a few or several of the features associated with Turners (more on this later) but short stature and infertility are almost always present.

I was born with under developed ovaries. Not only were they under developed, they also had an increased chance of turning cancerous and so they were removed when I was 7 yrs old, I’m infertile. I’m naturally very maternal and have often wondered whether this is a natural instinct or whether it’s been strengthened due to my circumstances. Thankfully options of IVF are now available to women with Turners and that’s something I’ve began looking in to recently, so watch out for updates in future posts.

I’ve learnt it’s important to have a positive perspective, I’d never cope otherwise. Many people have argued the only purpose of human life is to procreate, I couldn’t disagree more!!  We are all here for a reason for being here and that reason can be a million and one things, all individual to us. I mean, you have to leave your stamp on the world in some way right? A lasting legacy. My instinct tells me I would probably have fallen pregnant early if I were able to conceive. That may have got in the way of development in other aspects of my life, my career for example. Call me crazy, deluded, on cloud cookoo, I don’t care, I probably am. Not having a baby naturally was just fate and if it’s meant to be, IVF will work or I can adopt. It’s important I have a purpose in life and thinking the way I do helps me come to terms with it.

As for my short stature, well, you know what they say about good things and small packages ;-)

For more information check out http://www.tss.org.uk/  which includes further information and personal accounts of other women living with Turners. 

Hello, I'm Jess!

Hi! I’m Jess. I’ve kindly been invited by Vivien to blog on her site.  Being a complete novice to blogging this filled me with a mixture of dread but pure excitement; I’d never considered blogging as a way of exploring new opportunities before but, I though what have I got to lose? So here goes.

The everyday ‘bits and bobs’, I’m 25, live in Yorkshire and currently an Assistant Psychologist. Why Psychology? Well, Psychology, to me, has also been a way of coming to terms with my own life experiences, understanding what factors may have been involved with the more painful and also joyous times. It’s provided closure in a lot of cases. Psychology has allowed me to understand everyone is unique and has a story to tell. I’ve also learnt from Psychology that in no way should I be ashamed of me, and who I am, it’s taught me to embrace it. They’ll be more on this in future posts but for those of you who feel like many goals are ‘out of reach’ I’d say that you can achieve what you set out to achieve and shouldn’t let anything stand in your way. After all if it’s worth having it its worth fighting for right? (bit of Cheryl Cole for you there…… not intentional, I’m more of an alternative/indie rocker music fan myself, anyway, back to the point). I’ve always felt like I have had a point to prove. Doctors were saying I’d never leave school with any GCSE’s,(more on this in future posts) well I left with 9, then went on to do my A levels then my undergraduate degree and now I’m an Assistant Psychologist.  As a kid I often felt like I didn’t quite fit in with mainstream stuff, at school I only had only had a select few mates and I’d rather stay in and read a book or watch a movie as opposed to going to all night parties or being Miss popular.” If I’m honest,  I felt like a bit of a loner at times but as I grew older I began studying Psychology, I thought so what?, it’s boring to ‘go along with the crowd’. The people that were worth bothering with stuck around and supported me.

I’m facing a huge personal obstacle now in my ambition to be accepted on to clinical training. Even now I think will I ever get there?  Am I worth it? Have I got what it takes? I can understand why people describe it as a very lonely and daunting journey.  But I Will never give up the fight in my quest to becoming a qualified Clinical Psychologist. It doesn’t matter how long it takes, I will never stop trying, and this is the one thing I know I was destined to do. I can’t imagine doing anything else.

I have a condition called Turners Syndrome, what’s that? What does it mean?  Well more about that in my next blog. In the meantime, check out http://www.tss.org.uk/  and thanks very much for reading this, hopefully you’ll like my future posts too.

The Blossom Method - a gift for the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge

I can’t help but think that whilst millions of women all over the world are giving birth there is so much pressure on Kate and William to tow the party line and have their baby in the way others decide.  I wonder how you would feel if others ‘insisted’ on you having YOUR baby THEIR way. I know it wouldn’t have suited me!

I cannot tell you how excited I was to hear that Kate is thinking about HypnoBirthing as a way of birthing. HypnoBirthing http://www.hypnobirthing.co.uk/ was our chosen birthing method and I cannot recommend it highly enough. What’s even more exciting is a couple of months ago I spoke with the press office at Ebury (Vermilion) home of The Blossom Method, as I wanted to forward a copy of The Blossom Method to ‘Kate and William’. I really wanted to share the joy of The Blossom Method (and Hypnobirthing) with the soon to be parents. I sent a personal message and a copy of The Blossom Method in the month of May. Giving Kate plenty of time to read and digest all that is The Blossom Method. 

I do hope they have enjoyed The Blossom Method and I look forward to hearing all about it!

If perchance you are reading this Kate, here are some of the latest messages from parents using The Blossom Method.

"I talk about you and your book to all my new (and current) mummy friends. I think your book was the start of something truly special for me and my son... who incidentally is going to be 1 in a few weeks time, can you believe it?!" Dawn (UK)

"I've been meaning to email you for ages to tell you how much I enjoyed your book. I found it fascinating and loved watching for Noah's expressions and tongue movements. One we found particularly useful was his sickness warning. He would twist his tongue a little and also give us a slight smile which gave me a warning to prepare for vomit!! He is a sicky baby so this was a great help." Amy (Australia)