We All Have Unique Strengths and Talents by Isabella Manrique

Hi! My name is Isabella and I’m 25 years old. I was diagnosed with Turner syndrome (TS) when I was a couple of months old. My grandmother noticed that one of my feet was swollen, and my pediatrician suggested that it could be due to a genetic disorder. Sure enough, the tests came back that I had mosaic Turner syndrome. I’m extremely grateful that I was diagnosed so young because I was able to get all the necessary screenings and tests done early.

My mom, Danielle, was always diligent about taking me to my appointments and keeping up to date with care guidelines throughout my childhood. She is incredible and I would not have gotten this far without her support! I started taking growth hormone shots when I was 10 years old and grew to 5’1” (1 inch taller than we thought I would be!!).

TS hasn’t been without its challenges for me, though. In school, I was often bullied for being shorter than everyone else and struggled to make friends. I had ear infections often and have had 5 separate sets of tubes. Learning to drive was a years-long process, and I’m still not good at math. As I’ve gotten older, it’s been overwhelming at times to manage my own health.

While TS is a big part of who I am, there’s a lot more that makes me, me! Music and singing have always been my passion. I’ve been in various choirs since I was in third grade through either the community or school. I’m currently a member of the UL Lafayette Chamber Singers, and we are travelling to Europe this summer to sing abroad!

I love to cook and bake and am often sending my family pictures of new recipes I’ve tried. I enjoy reading and playing video games as well. I graduated from Louisiana State University (Geaux Tigers) with a degree in Psychology in 2021, and got my master’s degree from UL Lafayette in August of last year. After working for a couple of years, I plan to go back to school to get my doctorate. My end goal is to become a professor and do research. I’ve had many influential teachers and professors throughout my life, and I hope to be a mentor for someone in the same way many of them have been for me.

I live with my wonderful fiancé Parker and our two cats, Beignet and Praline. I have an amazing and supportive group of friends. If I could go back and give my younger self any advice, I would tell her that there’s nothing wrong with her. It can be frustrating to feel different from your peers, or to struggle with things everyone else seems to understand.

TS can feel really isolating at times, but we all have our unique strengths and talents. I would tell my younger self, and any other butterflies reading this, to focus on those strengths instead of what might be viewed as deficits. Start a hobby or find a cause you are passionate about and meet others who share those same interests. You will find people who share your values and appreciate you for who you are! Finally, remember that it is a miracle that you’re alive. Each one of us is a testament to the strength and resilience of the TS community, and we can do anything we set our minds to!