Good afternoon, my name is Kate Staff and I held the cake raffle at Broadwindsor’s Fun Day.
I would like to thank everyone that supported me in raising money.
My aim was not only to raise funds but also to raise awareness. I had never heard of TS (Turner Syndrome) until my daughter Louise was diagnosed at the age of 18yrs.
As a child she suffered and encountered numerous difficulties both physical and emotional some of which will be with her for life and if an earlier diagnosis was made she would have had a completely different childhood/education and friendships would have been a lot easier as she wouldn’t have felt as if she didn’t belong or fit in.
It was just by chance that our GP suggested she should be tested for TS and after reading all the signs and symptoms of TS, I was stunned to realise that Louise had roughly 80% of them. All of which were not detected by doctors/nurses/ENT specialists but most of all me!
I carry a strong feeling of guilt, that as her mother I didn’t do enough, as I always knew she wasn’t like other children her age and thought she may be on the lower end of the spectrum scale but then again no 2 children are the same are they?!
I have questioned myself over and over again “Why didn’t I know? Why didn’t I do something?” I can only put it down to lack of knowledge across the board so raising awareness has become very important to me. It won’t change things for Louise but if the signs and symptoms are known and talked about it might help others to get diagnosed earlier.
I would like to thank everyone that supported me in raising money.
My aim was not only to raise funds but also to raise awareness. I had never heard of TS (Turner Syndrome) until my daughter Louise was diagnosed at the age of 18yrs.As a child she suffered and encountered numerous difficulties both physical and emotional some of which will be with her for life and if an earlier diagnosis was made she would have had a completely different childhood/education and friendships would have been a lot easier as she wouldn’t have felt as if she didn’t belong or fit in.
It was just by chance that our GP suggested she should be tested for TS and after reading all the signs and symptoms of TS, I was stunned to realise that Louise had roughly 80% of them. All of which were not detected by doctors/nurses/ENT specialists but most of all me!
I carry a strong feeling of guilt, that as her mother I didn’t do enough, as I always knew she wasn’t like other children her age and thought she may be on the lower end of the spectrum scale but then again no 2 children are the same are they?!
I have questioned myself over and over again “Why didn’t I know? Why didn’t I do something?” I can only put it down to lack of knowledge across the board so raising awareness has become very important to me. It won’t change things for Louise but if the signs and symptoms are known and talked about it might help others to get diagnosed earlier.
Thank you everyone 
x
Turner syndrome is a rare genetic disorder affecting girls and women. The cause of Turner syndrome is a completely or partially missing X chromosome. Treatment for Turner syndrome may include hormone therapy.
The Turner Syndrome Support Society is a national charity caring for the needs of those with Turner Syndrome throughout the United Kingdom.
You can make a donation HERE.
