February is Turner Syndrome Awareness month. Turner Syndrome is a genetic disorder affecting girls where all or part of an X chromosome is missing in all or some of her cells. This causes short stature (average height is 4'8") and ovarian failure. There are many other effects which vary in each girl/woman including orthopedic anomalies, chronic ear infections, hearing loss, heart defects, kidney abnormalities, learning disabilities and a higher risk for heart disease, hypothyroidism, celiac disease, diabetes, and osteoporosis. Some girls are more affected than others. Estimates are that only 1% of girls conceived with Turner Syndrome survive the pregnancy long enough to be born which makes them little miracles. I know this because my husband and I have been blessed with a daughter with it. Let's just say that I have become much more intimately acquainted with our local med school's health system than I ever planned to be! I am grateful to be three miles from excellent, cutting edge care. The average age of diagnosis is nine, but within hours of Katherine's birth the doctors told me they had some concerns and wanted to run some tests and bring in a geneticist to see her. With a diagnosis at birth, her doctors knew what conditions to monitor her for as she grew. The Turner Syndrome Foundation has adopted the butterfly as it's symbol which, along with cats and baseball, just happens to be one of Katherine's favorite things.
This card is part of the It's a Girl Thing Blog Hop and Challenge to raise awareness of Turner Syndrome and The Paper Players Challenge to use a feline, the purrfect reason to inaugurate my newest cat stamp. Katherine comes by her love of cats honestly as I have loved them for as long as I can remember. I started with white cardstock and used Tattered Rose and Speckled Egg Distress inks with the Always and Forever stencil from Echo Park Paper Company to lightly create a hint of a backdrop to ground Mooch by Lavinia, a butterfly from Hampton Art, and a sentiment from Fancy Greetings stamp set by Altenew. I stamped them in Versafine Onyx Black using a stamp positioning tool, so I could double stamp for deeply black, solid images. I then ran the ink pad along the edge and attached the card front to a pink card base.
I am also entering this in the Show Us Your Pussy Cats February challenge. Thank you for stopping by! If you check out the It's a Girl Thing Challenge there are links for more information about Turner's Syndrome. Until next time, Hansi
Hansi, I have never heard of this syndrome, so I was intrigued to read your story! How sweet to put the butterfly and kitty to such a good use on your beautiful CAS card! I pray that your daughter continues in good health! Thanks for playing with my Feline challenge at the Players this week!
ReplyDeleteHow could I not enter? I have loved cats all my life! My Maine Coon mixes each claim to be the model for Mooch. Thank you for making the theme of your challenge something I am so passionate about.
DeleteOh Hansi when I started reading your post I knew you had a connection to TS, you just knew to much! How old is your Miracle Butterfly?? Thank you so very much for sharing about your daughter! I can relate to how much medical knowledge we as parents of a TS girl have to learn! I am sure your daughter is precious, as all TS girls & women are! I absolutely love your card and I can feel the love you put into making it! Thank you for sharing your card and your story!!
ReplyDeleteI almost cried when I read your article. I would love to talk to you some time. I have never met another Mother of a child with Turner Syndrome. Katherine is 31 and is, as her doctors liked to say, medically complex. She moved into a group home a year and a half ago.
DeleteHi Hansi,
DeleteI tried sending you an email, but I think the address may have been old! I would love to talk to you too! It sounds like our daughters have more complex case of TS. Please send me your email, my email is mulchlady6@gmail.com
Hansi, what a wonderful card full of so much meaning. The touch of pink was the perfect color. I love the way the cat is looking at the butterfly. Thank you for sharing information on TS. I was not aware of this syndrome. Thank you so much for joining us at the Paper Players this week and for sharing this info
ReplyDeleteJaydee
Thank you, Jaydee! I had never heard of Turner Syndrome either until I had Katherine. I love Mooch, the cat. I'm thinking Christmas cards with him looking up at small snowflakes.
DeleteI was wondering if I’d see you in this challenge Hansi!! The kitty cat was calling your name. What a beautiful card to share awareness for Turner syndrome. Thanks for sharing at The Paper Players!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Amanda! How could I not enter a challenge featuring cats?
DeleteHow beautiful!!Thanks for the info on TS. Thanks for playing along at The Paper Players this week!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Laurie!
DeleteHansi, What a dramatic CAS card with the fabulous silhouettes. Thank you for helping to raise awareness of Turner Syndrome and supporting the TSA Challenge.
ReplyDeleteI hope you will join us again. Stay safe, stay healthy and Happy crafting!
Hugs,
Jan
Hi, Hansi! What a marvelous write up, and a moving, beautiful share regarding your own TS butterfly, and a bit about your life and daughter. I appreciate that you shared so openly. Your card is just darling! Thanks for leaving a sweet comment on my blog post for TSA, and for helping us spread the word by playing in the challenge! Hope to see you next year in a different capacity! hugs, de
ReplyDelete