Turner Syndrome & Socializing

    I understand that some with TS struggle with socializing. Because of various developmental issues, it can be difficult for those with TS to relate to their peers and vice versa. Luckily there are programs parents can look into to help their child if they are struggling with this.

I personally have never struggled with it. I will say though I'm a little shyer now that I'm older, but I doubt that's a TS thing. I grew up with three sisters, two older and one younger. I think that having siblings probably helped me. I also had a lot of cousins I had spent time with when I was younger as well. I was also enrolled in Pre-School before attending Kindergarten which I feel helped give me a head start when it came to socializing outside of my family.

I also feel as though other non-TS-related things play into socializing. Some people are just more introverted where others may be more extroverted. TS doesn't necessarily have anything to do with it. No one person is exactly alike and that's okay. TS doesn't necessarily control every aspect of our lives it only does if we let it.

"Normal"

 I don't think about what it would be like to be "normal" because what is "normal" anyway? The concept of "Normal" is purely subjective. To me having Turner Syndrome is "normal", I have never not had Turner Syndrome so I don't imagine what life would be like without it. Being told I have Turner Syndrome from such a very young age it was always just something that was a part of my life. I was probably told when I was like maybe around preschool age. I don't even remember being told. It felt more like I was born with the knowledge already ingrained into me. Turner Syndrome has been more like something that is just in the background of my life. Most people that know me treat me just like anyone else. Lots of people I deal with probably don't even know I have Turner Syndrome. I don't hide it or anything, but I don't feel the need to bring it up if it's not necessary or relevant. Those that do know I have TS don't see me as someone who has TS they just see me Sami to them I am "normal". I grew up with three sisters, two older and one younger. I wasn't raised any differently than they were or treated any differently just because I have Turner Syndrome. As I was growing up I was always treated age-appropriately, when I was five I was treated like I was five, when I was ten I was treated like I was ten, and when I was thirteen I was treated like I was thirteen. I was never mollycoddled or babied or given special treatment just because I have Turner Syndrome. I would say that normalcy has always been something that I have had in my life.

Feeling Misunderstood?

 I know that some struggle with feeling misunderstood or feeling like their voice is not being heard. It can be tough I know but, it is not a problem that is specific to TS, it's a problem everyone faces. You can't make someone understand what you're feeling or what you're going through because they aren't you. A person who doesn't have TS will never know what it's like to have TS. It can be frustrating when you feel like you're not being heard or you feel like you're misunderstood. We can't make people feel what we feel or make them share our thoughts or opinions. I've found it's better to learn how to pick and choose my battles. Sometimes times it's just best to let things go instead. In some cases, you would get farther talking to a brick wall. Even though it's frustrating remember you are not alone and again this is an issue everyone faces.

Not The End Of The World

     Having Turner Syndrome isn't the end of the world. I can think of things that are so much worse. I could have been born blind, deaf, or mute. I could have been born without an arm or a leg, I could have been born without any of my limbs. I could have been born unable to walk. There are many other things that I could have been inflicted with. The way I see it TS is small potatoes in the grand scheme of things. Despite having to deal with some of the various health issues and even though I can't have children there are people out there who have to deal with something far worse than having TS so the way I see it I can't really complain.

One Day At A Time

 Sure there are times when I think that life would be easier without Turner Syndrome. It can be tough having to deal with various health issues and not being able to have children. I don't let myself dwell on it though. It just comes with the territory of having TS, these are just things that I have to deal with. Dwelling on something that I can't do anything about isn't going help me any. It won't make my health issues disappear or change the fact that I can't have children. The only thing I can do is monitor my health issues take my medications and listen to my doctor. As for not being able to have children well, there are options out there and when the time is right I can explore those options. I just take one day at a time.

No Stopping Me

I do not see TS as a disability, illness, or disease. Not once have I ever let having TS stop me from living life and doing the things that I want to do. I don't believe in letting TS define me it is only a tiny part of who I am. We Butterflies can do anything we put our minds to. The only limitations we have are the ones we put on ourselves. If there is something that I want to pursue I go for it. No one will ever be allowed to tell me that I can't do something, If they try I'm like "Oh yeah just watch me!". I don't see myself as different because I am not different I am just like anyone else. I was fearfully and wonderfully made by God and therefore perfect just as I am. If it isn't broke don't fix it. I decided a very long time ago not to feel sorry for myself because there isn't any reason to. Sure I could cry, get angry, and let myself become depressed because I have TS, but that would serve me no purpose or do any good since it's not like I can do anything about it. I would much rather enjoy life and try to live it to its fullest.

No Pity Parties

I may have Turner Syndrome but I don't believe in throwing pity parties. There is no use crying over spilled milk. Turner Syndrome isn't an illness or a disease there isn't a cure for it. No amount of feeling sad or mad will do anything to change it. There isn't anyone at fault for it not our moms or our fathers there isn't anyone to blame. We know that TS is caused by the partial or complete deletion of our X Chromosome. Asking "Why me?" doesn't help because there is no answer for that. Turner Syndrome is a fluke occurrence that happens randomly God and the universe isn't picking on us. I feel so sad for those that struggle with acceptance of having Turner Syndrome and I sincerely hope that those that do struggle with it get the help that they need to come to terms with it. I was diagnosed with Turner Syndrome at 2 weeks old and had always known about it since I was really young I can't remember being told that's how young I was so I had a very long time to accept having TS and all that it comes with.