My Story is a Happy One - by Brittany Byers

Hi, my name is Brittany Byers. I was diagnosed with Turners syndrome (TS) at age 10. It was sort of random. I was suddenly taking growth hormone shots every night. I took my last dose when I was 15. Until that point, I just thought I had trouble growing. My parents and doctors had mentioned a few other things, but I didn’t really listen.

My case was interesting in that I was developing normally. I had my first cycle at 13. After ending the growth hormones, I learned a bit more about what was going on with me. I always felt that I struggled socially. My parents were great protectors. They shielded me from a lot. I wasn’t bullied or anything. I had friends and a full life. I struggled with social anxiety, but I was given support.

It was when I learned I would struggle to have children that I started to get upset. At 16, I wasn’t ready to have kids but was heartbroken at the thought that it was not a possibly for me when I got older. I went through high school and college. I earned a master’s in education.

I married my husband Justin in 2015. We tried adopting and that did not work out. The fertility specialists didn’t have much hope either. Miraculously in 2018 we found out we were pregnant. Sadly, our son Carson was still born at 24 weeks. It was not over yet, though. In February 2019, we found out we were pregnant with another baby. Jude was born in September 2019. We had some minor complications, but we all came home healthy.

Jude is a thriving 5-year-old. Surprisingly, when Jude was 8 months old, I found out I was pregnant with his little sister. We had some complications again, but Eve is a healthy 4-year-old. I’m so grateful for my kids. I still wonder at how I conceived naturally 3 times.

Turners syndrome hasn’t always been easy for me. I’m thankful I beat the odds with pregnancy. However, I do struggle in certain social situations, and with driving. It just never happened for me. I’m so thankful for my support system. My story is a happy one. I understand this is always the case with TS. I hope I can help and inspire at least one person to never give up. God is good.