“Patch” of honor

This thought just came to me as I was outside enjoying today’s sunshine.

I was walking back to my spot in my lounge chair when my sister said – is that a scar? Is that from the patch you wear? She was talking about the marks left over from my patch on one side (I was wearing a bikini, so sometimes that’s not so hard to see).

I’ve gone through the whole discussion about how having to wear an estrogen patch on your hip shouldn’t make you feel like any less of a woman. I’m starting to think there’s a lot more to it than that.

These patches are going to be with me for most of, if not the rest of my life. This includes the scarring and glue left at times when wearing one. There really isn’t too much I can do about it. The medicine is needed so my body can function properly.

The patch is hard to see in this picture, but it’s there. 🙂

Do I want a family someday? Absolutely, and I’ll do whatever I can to make that happen. Going through this treatment is just something that could possibly  make it a little easier later on, because it still does depend on a lot of other things.

You shouldn’t feel ashamed about needing something like this to help make certain aspects of life a little easier. That’s why I like to think of my patch as a “patch of honor”. It’s always going to sit there on my skin, and it’s just another smaller piece of who I really am. ❤

“You’ve got wings. Now fly.”

….and fly I did! I know everybody’s got their own opinions, but I love the butterfly as a symbol for TS.

For me, it’s a symbol of strength. It symbolizes being able to stand out on my own, following my own heart and taking life as it comes at me, in both the good and bad.

Yes, I know it all sounds crazy, but once I knew about the butterfly as the symbol, it took on that whole new meaning for me.

I hope to carry this message, or theme, with me everywhere in life. After all, I just think it fits my personality and life story very well! I’ve learned to “spread my wings” if you will, and bring out a piece of me that I never thought I’d let so many people see. It’s meant a lot to me that I’ve been able to have these experiences and new encounters. I’ve learned so much and am so honored to pass it along as I continue on this absolutely insane, beautiful ride I call life. I started so many years ago, and it’s blown me away to have come this far. You can bet I’m not letting go anytime soon. 😊

My thoughts here? Find your own symbol, or meaning, and bring it out there! Use it as a way of carrying you through your own struggles or difficulties. It doesn’t even have to be an animal or object. It can be a person, too. This is also what’s helped me look at life on a different level, and I’m forever appreciative. ❤

New Beginnings

Sitting and sippin’ on my morning coffee (it’s an addiction if you haven’t picked up on that already 😝😁) while reflecting on the past school year. I still can’t believe I just finished my junior year of college. It feels like I only walked into the halls a freshman yesterday!

This was a huge year for me, both academically and socially. I feel as though I finally found my place and now know exactly what it is I want to do after next year.

I took on a lot of new responsibilities and positions I never thought I would see myself in. I always knew how important it is to be involved and learn more about what’s out there, but this is different. It sounds kind of silly, I know, but it really was a life-changer for me. I learned so much about how important it is to just go with it, and see where it all will take you. There will be obstacles along the way, but life is meant to be that way. Live, learn, and have fun while you can.

After next year, it’s going to be time to start that new chapter. I’m so excited to see what kind of work I’ll be able to do; I’m also excited to help change the lives of others just as mine has been by so many! 😊

Of course I only just finished the year and have the whole summer ahead of me. Now if I can just find those sneakers hiding in the back of my closet, I think I’ll go for that run. 😄

Go confidently in the direction of your dreams. Live the life you have imagined. ~ Henry David Thoreau ❤

The Ultimate Blessing

Every day, I stop and think about how far I’ve come; I also think about where my life is headed.

I wanted to share a little story from oh so long ago. I remember coming from church one night with my family. We had decided that we’d be taking our good friend, the priest, out for some pizza! The conversation at the table was a very deep one.

When the conversation turned to me and my diagnosis of TS, the priest couldn’t believe it. He said it was crazy how quickly I’d figured out my calling in life. It was cool how this diagnosis made me want to reach out to others, and work with those facing the same issues. I’ll never forget his reaction when we told him that we knew one of the nuns in the parish also had TS. 😂

I truly believe that this is the ultimate blessing. I’m thankful for every day I can be here to help these girls and women. Sometimes I wonder what life would be like now had I never been diagnosed! But then again – maybe I don’t want to know. I feel as though this is what I was made to do. I really was given this life because I was strong enough to live it! ❤

Turner’s Syndrome in the Classroom

So I’ve said a little bit about what elementary school was like for me, and wanted to expand on that thought a little bit.

It’s known that girls with TS can have a tough time with visual spatial skills, so this can make certain concepts in mathematics difficult to grasp (like anything geometry-related). I also used to hate doing things like counting money or telling time. Oh man did that bother me. I can remember being in 4th grade; I sat down to take a test one day and totally freaked out!

Despite all of that, it does help to have a great support system when a TS gal enters school. I used to get time out of the classroom to help me work on all of the skills I didn’t necessarily develop well at first. My parents also set me up with some great tutors at home to help with the math, and sometimes writing too.

It does take a lot of time, but I grew out of all the resources and extra programming I had been put through! When I entered middle and high school, I didn’t have or need any of that help. It just goes to show you -you really can accomplish anything you put your mind to. 

It’s also important to know that everybody learns at their own pace. We might take a little bit longer to understand something, but we’ll get it eventually! When it comes to school work, my parents have always taught me to just do the best I can; they’re proud no matter what.

I still struggle today, but I remember how far I’ve come, and it makes everything worth it. ❤

Turner’s Syndrome: Transitioning into Adulthood

Now that I’m almost a senior in college (whoa, I know 😮), I figured I’d take some more time to talk about another huge issue when it comes to having TS.

Growing up with Turner’s is difficult, and it can obviously take some time adjusting! If you were diagnosed young like me, this is when a lot of the care and treatment is started(GH shots, for example). It’s a very scary thing to go through all of that, but I would hope I can help any younger gals, or even families of TS gals, realize that it’s all worth it.

I won’t lie – elementary school was very rough on me in a lot of ways. It was a horrible time for me socially, as I was constantly bullied about things like my height, or even my hair! It was pretty darn clear – nobody understood me.

I also had a terrible time with the math, as I’m sure I’ve said. It always took me a very long time to do the homework or practice problems. I had tutors around a lot to help me with this. Since then, though, that’s actually gotten somewhat better! Practice makes perfect; that’s all I have to say about that one! 😜

So, here I am now almost a college graduate. It hasn’t been an easy road at all, but at least I can say I made it, right?! My point is this if you’ve found yourself to be in a similar situation like the one I was in all those years ago. IT’S NOT THE END! Ignore those who tell you you aren’t good enough; you’re too soft. You can and will find your place with those that truly love and care about you. Yet again this isn’t just for my TS gals – this is for everybody.

“Promise me you’ll always remember– you’re braver than you believe, stronger than you seem and smarter than you think.” ~ Christopher Robin ❤