Life is Better with Butterfly Friends! - by Stephanie Guy

She’s a Butterfly. Hello! My name is Stephanie, and I am a 44-year-old wife and mother who was diagnosed with classic Turner syndrome (TS) at birth. My family and I live in our own little slice of paradise located in the Florida Panhandle. We have called the small town of Niceville, Florida our home since 2010. We moved to Florida because my husband Steven (who was active-duty military at the time) was being stationed at Eglin Air Force Base.

My husband and I, along with our newly adopted 11-month-old son Nathan (who we had just been matched with at our prior duty station in North Carolina) had no idea how much we’d all love it here. The “butterflies” I have met since, have been the friends I never knew I needed. Prior to moving here, I did not have any friends with TS. One day I decided to do an internet search because I was interested in reaching out and meeting other ladies with Turner syndrome. I made a post in a TSSUS group on Facebook, and before I knew it, lifelong friendships were formed! We have been a group for over 10 years now and though we have gained and lost members, we have continued to get together and do life together intentionally. Living with T.S. has had its challenges but having friends who understand you and what you go through on a daily basis makes all the difference in the world.

I am lucky enough to be blessed with a supportive husband of 19 years and son, who along with these ladies, truly make life worth living.

The Turner Syndrome Society has also made a huge impact on my life. I was given a scholarship to the first TSSUS National Turner Syndrome Conference I attended in 2008, not knowing that I was in for the experience of a lifetime! Now, many years later, it allows my husband, son, and I to give back and volunteer for that same conference to help raise awareness. It has also allowed me to further educate myself as I learn new things each year I attend about living with TS. I will forever and always be grateful for all of these invaluable life experiences. I love my TS community!