This is an Amazing Community! by Aleah Heffron

Hi, my name is Aleah. I’m a 19-year-old woman with Turner syndrome (TS). I was born in a small town in Michigan called Battle Creek. I was diagnosed with TS when I was 9 months old. When I was a baby, I had mastoiditis and puffy hands which led to my doctor doing genetic testing. As I grew older, I had ear tube surgeries every year until I was 12. Now I have hearing aids because I’m hard of hearing (mild-moderate hearing loss).

Growing up I had growth hormone shots. Due to going through menopause at 9 years old because of early ovarian failure, I started estrogen patches too, however my estrogen is still low so I have osteopenia. A lot of my experience with TS has to do with the neurological side of things. I have Nonverbal Learning Disability and can’t drive.

Nowadays I still see the audiologist, cardiologist, and endocrinologist yearly. I’ll admit that having TS is difficult. It can be hard to make friends and the medical side of things is overwhelming. One of my proudest achievements however was playing Grace Farrel and Gertrude McFuzz in Penguin Project’s productions of Annie, Jr. and Suessical, Jr. It was nice to be able to act with others like me.

The Turner syndrome community is an amazing community of women and hopefully we find comfort in each other, knowing we’re not alone.