The Meyers’ Journey with 7q11.23 Duplication Syndrome

What is your family like?

Both of my daughters and I have 7q11.23 duplication syndrome. My oldest daughter was diagnosed first, then I got pregnant, and then I got tested at 34 years old and received a diagnosis. Then at the birth of my second daughter, she was tested, and a few months later we got her diagnosis.

What do you do for fun?

I am a single mom, so I don’t do much. I am known to read, write, scrapbook, research different things to help my girls and myself, and research my family ancestry. I have also been known to sew with some plastic canvas.

Tell us about the biggest hardship you face.

Being a single mother, and raising 2 daughters with the same diagnosis as myself, and we all have different challenges at different times in our lives. All the different specialists, and keeping all of our things separate.

What is one question you wish researchers could answer about this genetic change?

When does it get better?

What have you learned about your or your child’s genetic condition from other families?

We are one big happy family, even though we are our own individual.

If you could give one piece of advice to someone recently diagnosed with the genetic change in your family, what would it be?

Research. Research. Research. Educate yourself, your family, all the doctors and specialists.