Listen Up!

Many feel that listening to audio books instead of reading the text is cheating.  You don't have to do as much work and don't get as much out of the story.  I am here to say that they are wrong!  I listened to my first audio book this week, The Fault in our Stars by John Green.  It is an amazing, emotional story that I cannot stop thinking about.  Furthermore, listening to the actress, I was able to hear the character's fear, sadness and even crying, allowing me to connect with them in way I wouldn't have simply reading the text.  Listeners still use their imagination to picture the characters, the setting, etc. while listening, just as they would reading the text.  

What are the downsides of audio books?

• I sometimes like to go back and read certain sections over again.  While you can go back and re -listen to previous sections in an audio book, it is slightly harder finding the spot you want.  
• You can't tell how many chapters there are and how long the chapters are.  
• Listening in my car, I found myself arriving at my destination at an important part of the story and not wanting to stop the cd.  Reading the text, you are able to stop at an appropriate spot.  You don't always have that luxury with an audio book.

Overall, audio books are perfect for long commutes and can enhance the story.    

        

TS Fact # 7

While there is no cure for TS, there are several therapies and treatments patients can take advantage of.

- growth hormone injections

- estrogen/progesterone supplements

- counseling

- in vetro fertilization

The sooner patients start treatments and therapies, the better.

TS Fact #6

TS  patients are typically not diagnosed until around 12 - 14 years of age.  The ideal diagnosing age is at birth so patients can take advantage of important medical treatments and therapies.

TS Fact # 5

There are other conditions associated with TS that are not physical.  Some include:

- infertility/ ovarian failure

- kidney issues/ infections

- heart abnormalities

- hearing loss/ infections

- social anxiety

- lymphedema

- type II diabetes

- hypothyroidism

- hypertension

- educational difficulties

- osteoporosis

- dental problems

Once again, every TS case is different.  A patient may not experience all these difficulties.

TS Fact #4

Here are some possible physical indicators of Turner Syndrome:

- short stature (around 4' 8")

- broad shield chest

- short wide neck

- droopy eyes

- lymphedema

- pigmented moles

- low set ears or hairline

- overweight

- upturned fingernails

- scoliosis

- high arched palate

Every TS case is different.  Some TS patients may not have all these physical characteristics.

TS Fact # 3

Turner Syndrome was first described by an Endocrinologist named Dr. Henry Turner in 1938 at the annual meeting of the Association for the Study of Internal Secretions.   

TS Fact #2

Girls born with TS are miracles.

• "It is estimated that only about 1% of fetuses with only one X chromosome survive to term and that approximately 10% of all miscarriages are due to Turner syndrome."  (Turner Syndrome Society of US website www.turnersyndrome.org)