I received an email late one evening last week and the contents of it still continue to resonate. The email had come from a young girl who I’ll name Zoe for the purposes of this narrative. Zoe had contacted me because she had been looking into the work of Ragdolls UK. I set up Ragdolls in 2013 because as a sufferer or Turner’s Syndrome I felt it was important to help my TS sisters find the support they needed. The condition occurs in 1 in about 2500 females across the world but there are still so many who haven’t heard of it and when you are diagnosed with the unknown it can be terrifying. Zoe was one such young woman.
Diagnosed at sixteen, Zoe was told from a young age all the things she wouldn’t be able to do. In her email to me she stated that she ‘felt like a freak’ through school and felt like she wouldn’t be able to do any of the things ‘normal’ girls do. Then there’s that word that drives fear in many TS women – infertility.
She reached out to me and I was incredibly proud that she did so. As a woman who has never focused on what I can’t do and aimed for the stars I have always encouraged my TS sisters to value themselves and their contributions to society no matter what barriers health issues may throw up. Most importantly the work of Ragdolls UK is to encourage to achieve potential. My TS sisters are some of the most caring, loving, intelligent and delightfully creative women I’ve ever had the pleasure to meet.
There are challenges to face living with a condition like Turner’s Syndrome but that’s why we work together and support one another.
I am glad Zoe saw fit to tell me her story because if just one girl realises there is support out there for her it makes it all worth it.
A huge thanks to all who support Ragdolls UK. We are making a difference.
For more information visit www.ragdollsuk.com
