After some tests, it was concluded that I had a condition called Turners Syndrome. When the doctor told me and my mum this news, it meant nothing at first. We'd never heard of Turner's Syndrome and didn't have a clue what it meant for me. As soon as the doctor went on to describe the symptoms, however, the alarming reality of this condition I'd never heard of started to kick in. He told me that it meant I would not go through puberty naturally, and that a major growth spurt was unlikely (in other words, I might be staying at 4 ft 7) and that it was unlikely that I'd naturally be able to produce children of my own. I left the doctor's surgery feeling numb. It was all so much to take in. At 15, I didn't have a clue what I wanted to do with my life. The only thing I was absolutely sure of was that I eventually wanted a husband and a family, and at the time it seemed like all that had been taken away from me in one horrible blow. As I was at a very image sensitive age, I questioned how I would find a man if I was going to look like this all my life, tiny and with no figure, and if so how would we ever be able to deal with the difficulties we would encounter if we wanted children. It all seemed so unfair, and I spent the next few weeks unable to think of much else, and frequently breaking into tears, often accompanied by my mum.

A few weeks later, I returned for a followup visit to the doctor. He informed me that I had a very rare karyotype of Turners Syndrome that meant my ovaries ran a strong risk of becoming cancerous, and since they can start going that way from the age of 10, mine might be already. He advised that I have and operation to have them removed. The reality of the fact that this meant I would never be able to have my own children really hurt and, understanding the implications, I was terrified we'd left it too late! It was time for more tears, but I didn't question having the operation. My doctor assured me that my ovaries were 'useless' anyway. I understood that having them removed would be far less painful than risking developing such an agressive form of cancer. I had the operation weeks later, and it was all a success.

Over the first 2 years of being diagnosed I went on growth hormone and oestrogen treatment. The effect these have had on me is, in my opinion, nothing short of a miracle! Over 2 years I shot up from 4 ft 7 to just under 5 ft 2 at the point of coming off the growth hormone when I turned 18! I have grown from from a young girl to being as developed as any woman, and it has worked wonders for my confidence.

When I first found out I had Turners Syndrome, I was distraught. I worried that it would hang over my life and prevent me from getting the things that I wanted in life. It seemed like it would have a negative effect on just about everything I wanted to do. However, I realised that I'd never been unsuccessful or unhappy in my life any more than the next person before I found out I had it. I was known in school as being 'the square one' that was always top of the class, had an above average flare for music (I've played the clarinet, piano and saxophone since I was quite young) had friends, and was generally happy, so what made my life any different now? I realised that although I would undoubtedly struggle with some aspects of my life because of this condition, I also had qualities that a lot of others don't, and made a vow to make the most of what I had been given. I am the first to admit that I have my moments, and that most of these have Turners Syndrome at the route. It sometimes only takes something extremely small, a slight negative comment towards me or an everyday task I'm struggling to do which I can blame on Turners Syndrome, to make me break down and feel very insecure (for instance, I get unreasonably emotional if I lose something like a purse or mobile phone, or forget to do something, as it is a symptom of my TS inherited scatterbrain!) However, in general I'm as happy and fun-loving as the next person. The way I see it, I might have greater problems than some people in this world, but I'm also a great deal luckier than some!

It also really helped me to meet other girls my age with this condition. As well as making some of the best friends I have, I can see that we all have our own strengths and personalities, and it has helped to show me just how little Turners Syndrome says about me. Anything we do have in common only seems to be positive. Without exception, all of the girls with Turners that I know are the most genuinely good-natured and caring girls I know, and if I'm half as good a person as that then I'm glad I have it!

These days I am a student at Sheffield University, studying Genetics. I am enjoying my time at University and at the moment I hope to either go on to become a genetic counsellor or do a medicine degree. I no longer feel like I can never have the family and husband that I desired at 15, and am confident that when the time comes I will find the right man for the job. For now I'm happy to enjoy the fact I'm finally developing the confidence to have some fun after a good few missed years! I have come a long way from the little girl who thought her life was over at 15, and things can only get better!