There is POWER in Unity! One Team, One Fight, with One goal on Purpose!! 4 Amazing Miles Complete on this Simply Amazing Sunday before Worship! #operationgetmylife #butterflywarrior #butterflyfit #butterflyfitness
You read that right: "capsule falls off your esophagus..." This bad boy is literally *pinned* to the inside of my esophagus, as you see pictured, taken from my Bravo Education Guide: provided by the Mayo Clinic Hospital. This test is actually a simple one compared to other tests I've had... in this long line of checking and re-checking issues that I've been battling for a decade now. The last time I had this line up of invasive GI testing was eight years ago, and because symptoms are absolutely worsening with time, through the gauntlet I go, once again... and again... and again. Let me clarify: this is my GI world, this is not including the other medical worlds and specialty tests, procedures, lab work blah blah that I'm also subjected to. It's exhausting and it's painful every moment of every day. And so is the social disconnect that this has all forced me into. The dependency on others that this has forced me into... it's almost as painful as the physical pain and illnesses that have put me here in the first place. I do have to say though: all of the above has also made me STRONGER... mentally, emotionally and spiritually. This has brought me closer to me, myself and I. Closer to my Angels and Spirit Guides. Closer to the Universe, and most definitely closer to God 😻🤍🪻✨🐞 I'm learning to appreciate my PRESENT MOMENTS, learning to appreciate all of the things that I'm BEYOND BLESSED WITH 🥹🙏💕 learning to truly appreciate the SOULS in my life that LOVE me unconditionally, and who allow me to reciprocate that LOVE; who I know will always be here for me, no matter what, bc this is already "no matter what" and you're still here 💖💗💖 This, of course, includes my furry crew and their love, forever unconditional, and the smiles they put on my face 🥰 and ESPECIALLY includes my Mama 🙏💕🦋 and ALL that she does and sacrifices for me. I am fully aware of how blessed I am to have the Mother, the family, and the friends that I do. Thank you all so much. Truly. #idbelostwithoutyou #bravorefluxrecorder #butterflywarrior #intubation #bruisedesophagus #lostvoice #mayoclinicaz #chronicwarrior #onemomentatatime #worsethanyoucanimagine #strongerthanyouknow
Yesterday, the Wonderful Wednesday group run was such a blessing!!! I love EVERYTHING about this picture. I thank God for the ability to run....5k Complete! #operationgetmylife #butterflywarrior #butterflyfit
Title: Skovfjær Behold the ancient Danish Butterfly Warrior - Forest Feather, a legendary figure whose training spans over a millennium. For a mere butterfly to ascend to the ranks of a warrior, it undergoes a rigorous journey lasting a thousand years. #digitalart #creativehours #butterfly #butterflywarrior #fictionart #fictioncharacter #科幻 #科幻艺术 #科幻角色
Mi funko #butterflywarrior 💜 #lovejewelry💎
Of course I showed up late for the group run...but the way my Discipline set up, I STILL got it done! 5K Complete on this Wisdom Wednesday! #butterflyfit #butterflywarrior #operationgetmylife
I love this kid with EVERYTHING in me...She said momma let's go run, so of course I will run with the love of my life! 4 Amazing Miles Complete #operationgetmylife #butterflyfit #butterflywarrior
EMPOWERMENT OF FEMALE SPRIT by Miso Embrace the graceful power of this captivating artwork featuring a butterfly girl striking a karate pose. With elegance and determination, she embodies the fusion of beauty and strength, capturing the essence of martial arts mastery. This illustration celebrates the resilience and empowerment of the female spirit, making it an inspiring addition to any collection. Created by me thinking of my lil sister ♡ @anto.schipanii @evelyn.schipani @gioski__ come and see all the clothing and all the gadgets with this graphics on misostreetwear.redbubble.com #EmpowermentOfFemaleSpirit #KarateGirl #FemaleEmpowerment #ButterflyKarate #GirlPower #MartialArtsBeauty #EmpoweredWomen #KaratePoses #WomenInMartialArts #KarateEmpowerment #FierceWomen #KarateArt #EmpowermentIllustration #StrengthInBeauty #EmpowermentDesign #KarateInspiration #EmpoweringArtwork #ButterflyWarrior #KarateLife #EmpowermentCulture #ButterflyStrength #KarateSpirit #EmpowermentVibes #FemaleWarriors #ButterflyPower #KarateMoves #EmpowermentJourney #FightingSpirit #KarateInspire #WomenWithStrength
It’s the last day of TS Awareness Month! Thanks for joining us for all of these incredible stories over the past few weeks. HUGE shoutout out to @amypolmans for connecting with these ladies and giving them a voice. It felt only right that the final story would have to be hers. Let us introduce you to Amy! ‘Had one last story for turners month. I’d like to introduce you to…….ME So here it goes........ My turners journey started when I was around 12. I had broken my ankle and when I went to get my cast off my doctor looked at me and said..... you are short. I literally remember thinking.... well duh. 🤦♀️🤦♀️ So he measured my height and said I was way below the average. He asked if I had started PMS. I said no. So he ordered some tests. I had never really thought anything about it. I had always been very tiny. I also just thought I was late to the lady party lol. I did always feel different because I was smaller but just though hey that’s me. I played sports like my friends I did good for the most part in school like my friends I was on the Spirit Squad like my friends I tried everything my siblings and friends did. I was just me. Well few weeks later we got a call that would change my life forever. I was diagnosed with Turners Syndrome.’ Head over to Facebook for the full story! #tsawareness #turnerstrong 🙌🏻💜 #TurnerSyndromeAwareness #butterflywarrior #TSAwarenessMonth #ourstories
Day 26! Let me introduce you to Lena….. Hi! My name is Lena, I’m 27 and I’m from Boston Ma. I was Dx before birth with Mosaic TS. I grew up knowing I had it so I have been helping teach people about it as I go. I haven’t had to many issues medical wise from TS, I am 4’7 so I have the shortness part down pat. I tried GH when I was younger but I have a fear of needles so my parents tried giving it to me when I was asleep and I would hear the click of the epi pen and jump awake and bend the needles so my parents stoped it for my safety. When my mother found out I had TS she was driving home from seeing the Dr that told her and she was thinking of 3 people, her father, her brother and her grandmother who have all passed away and she pulled into the drive way and there were three deer standing there looking at her! Stood for a good 5 mins and than walked away. When I was born I happened to be born with holes in my heart and they did emergency C Section and rushed me into the bigger hospitals in Boston and my mother had to stay at the other hospital. While she was there she walked over to the hospital room window and thought of her grandmother once again and across the street was a chapel and she watched a double rainbow appear above it and she took it as a sign I’ll be alright. Since then, I’ve talked to many TS women and look foward to continue to raise awareness for us fellow butterfly worriors who have been through a lot just to be here! Via @amypolmans #tsawareness #turnerstrong 🙌🏻💜 #TurnerSyndromeAwareness #butterflywarrior #TSAwarenessMonth #ourstories
Day 24 brings a strong woman who has not let anything stop her. Please let me introduce you to Samantha. I was diagnosed with Classic Turners at around 3 or 4 years old. My parents became concerned that I wasn’t growing properly and my younger brother was quickly overtaking me. I was given growth hormone and grew to 5’0 as opposed to 4’7 as originally predicted. Other than poor spatial awareness and problems with my hearing resulting in numerous operations on my ears my childhood was relatively uneventful. I enjoyed school up until senior school when I became badly bullied due to being ‘different’ as I was small, bookish and was late with puberty. This continued until I left and went to university where it took a long time to regain my confidence. I went on to meet a wonderful man a few years after I left university and we married and later adopted x 2 beautiful children(our daughter followed by our son) after a round of IVF resulted in an early miscarriage. We decided not to pursue that avenue any further as we both felt that we didn’t need to be genetically related to a child to love them and raise them as our own. Few years ago I had a change of career after 10 years of working in administration and became a call handler and dispatcher for my local place force. Its challenging but I love it! I have been extremely lucky to have overcome the challenges associated with TS and am very grateful to have met so many wonderful sisters through this community - you are all amazing. Via @amypolmans #tsawareness #turnerstrong 🙌🏻💜 #TurnerSyndromeAwareness #butterflywarrior #TSAwarenessMonth #ourstories
Day 23 brings a very strong woman. Let me introduce you to Tia…. My name is Tia. I’m 41 years old from Colorado. I was diagnosed with TS at six weeks old because the doctors and nurses saw I had a webbed neck and puffy hands and feet. I was adopted at 4.5 years old. TS is always something I knew I had and because of that I don’t let TS be the only thing that defines me or let others put limitations on me because of TS. I had speech, occupational, and physical therapy fir many years to help me learn to overcome some of the physical challenges (like motor skills, and nonverbal learning disability that I have. Besides short stature (I’m 4’9” ) and a webbed neck, I had a congenital heart defect that I had repaired via open heart surgery at 29), high blood pressure, and hypothyroidism. For me, I feel the most severe effects of Turners that I experience is anxiety and depression. I always felt like an outsider and like I never belonged. I was bullied relentlessly in school because I was so small. I never had a ton of friends growing up. For me, I definitely struggle with self confidence and social interactions. I often miss when some one is joking and going somewhere new and meeting new people terrifies me in a lot of ways. I have met some of my best friends through Turners and I am so grateful to have the support of people who understand what I am going through. I currently work as a paralegal and love it. Via @amypolmans #tsawareness #turnerstrong 🙌🏻💜 #TurnerSyndromeAwareness #butterflywarrior #TSAwarenessMonth #ourstories
Via @amypolmans Day 22 Happy to introduce you to Breanna. Hi! My name’s Breanna, and I’m 27 years old. When I was born, things seemed normal. Then, at just 8 weeks old, I went into heart failure. Thankfully, my life was saved, but it was just one part of a bigger picture. I didn’t walk until I was 19 months old, and by that point, my parents were looking for answers. Once doctors managed to connect the dots, I was diagnosed with Turner Syndrome when I was 3. Decades and countless growth hormone injections later, I stand just under 5 feet, four inches. Every day I’m grateful for God, my family, friends, music, reading and writing. I couldn’t feel taller! I’m a receptionist and I love doing community theatre. 🙌🏻💜 #TurnerSyndromeAwareness #butterflywarrior #TSAwarenessMonth #ourstories
Shared via @amypolmans Day 21 brings a very motivated lady who isn’t letting anything stop her. Happy to introduce you to Nicole. My name is Nicole and I am currently 27 years old and 4’8” tall. I have 2 degrees and am currently working as a child and youth service worker. My story actually starts before I was born though because the doctors found out that I had Turner Syndrome (TS) during the prenatal stage of life. When I was born I had some heart problems and had surgery for a coarctation of the aorta at 3 months old. I am fortunate that since then, I have been pretty healthy. The biggest challenges for me have been infertility, hormone replacement therapy, and of course only being 4’8”. When I was young, I didn’t want to do growth hormone because of the needles. Eventually as a high school student I did start on hormone replacement for growth hormone and estrogen. My education and social life have always been a struggle with ADHD and being an easy target for bullying, but it has only made me stronger. In my opinion, my experience of always knowing I had TS is different than finding out later in life. From a very young age I have fortunately attended various Canadian TS conferences and completed various school projects about TS. A huge benefit to always knowing about what this diagnosis means for me at a young age is that it allowed me time to accept my situation and I didn’t know another “version” of me. I am someone who is personally open about talking about my diagnosis as I like to educate others. I have always looked at the symptoms of this diagnosis as things that any other person who doesn’t have Turner syndrome could experience for various other reasons and I think this has helped a lot. I wanted to share my story to inspire others who might be exploring this diagnosis for themself or a loved one. We are all part of the 2% that make it to full term so let’s go show the world why we did! 🙌🏻💜 #TurnerSyndromeAwareness #butterflywarrior #TSAwarenessMonth #ourstories
Shared via @amypolmans Day 20 is another short but sweet story. Let me introduce you to Dolores Hello, My name is Dolores and I am from San Diego. I am 28 years old. I was diagnosed with Turner Syndrome at Birth. My parents were told that I wasn’t expected to live but here I am now. I have the narrowing of the aorta and also was born with a webbed neck. My webbed neck was something I was bullied about during elementary but I don’t let it bother me to much now these days. I am currently in college, taking perquisites to go into the RN program. I am working as a caregiver and as a certified nurse assistant. In my spare time I like to spend time I take care of my little sister and I love hanging out with my friends here in San Diego. They also have Turner Syndrome and I am happy I found them. 🙌🏻💜 #TurnerSyndromeAwareness #butterflywarrior #TSAwarenessMonth #ourstories
Shared via Izabella’s grandmother. Izabella’s Journey with TS Izabella (Bella) is my name. I am currently 19. I live in Northern Ontario with my mother, my grandma and my younger brother Jaykob. I visit my dad often and spend time with my little brother Jacques. I’m a small package with a huge soul. They call me « Miss Sunshine », as I radiate in character while trying to help everyone in my path. Eventhough I was diagnosed with Celiac Disease at 2 years old, it wasn’t until I was 10 that I was diagnosed with TS. I started growth hormones at 12 and travelled to CHEO regularly for monitoring. Six years later I’ve achieved my goal at 4’ 11.5 » (5’) close enough. I always welcome new recipes and new GF menu items. I did very well in grade school, loved my Secondary years. I was very active in sports through grade and secondary school. I thrive in music and arts. I played lead drummer in most of school concerts, and sang solo and as well in groups. I received many certificates and plaques for my achievements. I enjoy alpine skiing, swimming, basketball, curling, treetop trekking, equestrian, and skating, to name a few. My mother surprised me with a 1999 VW bug for my grade 12 Graduation gift, which I drive to/from college/work. I am currently in my 1st year of College in the Social Work program. My bright future plans include a career as a Social worker, travelling, adoption of two toddlers, and an independent lifestyle. 🙌🏻💜 #TurnerSyndromeAwareness #butterflywarrior #TSAwarenessMonth #ourstories
Via @amypolmans Day 18 Today brings a special story. I connected with this beauties mom through a friend. Id like you all to meet Emma! So Emma was diagnosed with ADHD at the age of 5 I tried too go without medication for a year before I made the leap for both of us and decided medication was best. Emma was always tiny as a child as she come from a line of short women By grade 6 I knew something was still wrong. She wasn’t growing or gaining weight despite the fact she always ate. Her school knew something was wrong as well. This started a psychosocial assessment. Through all her testing she was finally diagnosed with a mild intellectual disability She was behind on everything and below standards in school. We just assumed it was her ADHD Something still wasn’t sitting with me cause she still wasn’t growing even though all her friends were they should be so I went to her doctor and voiced my concern. This is when he directed us to sick kids. So with more testing they found out she had turners syndrome It’s been 2 years in July she has been living with this diagnosis We decided that growth hormone therapy was the best course of action for her and has worked wonders. She has finally started growing and developing as a young 16 should be. We are hoping come April she can stop the therapy for a bit and see if her body will do some growing on it’s own She has over come a lot in these past years. She is grade 10 now and is doing fantastic. She still has a hard time making friends but we are working on it. She is hoping to go to collage after high school to become an esthetician. Keep up the amazing work Emma. You are rocking girl. 🙌🏻💜 #TurnerSyndromeAwareness #butterflywarrior #TSAwarenessMonth #ourstories
Via @amypolmans Day 17 is short but sweet. Allow me to introduce you to Mallory. I was two years old when I got diagnosed and have had a iep all though school and I have other medical issues and have struggled trying to do college so I quit doing college. Tried to get my permit and failed the first time and currently working on trying to take the permit test again. I am currently working with a job coach to figure out my next steps. 🙌🏻💜 #TurnerSyndromeAwareness #butterflywarrior #TSAwarenessMonth #ourstories
Shared via @amypolmans My TS story Hi I’m Alyssa I just turned 28 last week on February 4 , I was diagnosed with Turner syndrome at 16 Growing up everyone knew something was wrong medically with me. I had short stature I had multiple tubes put in and multiple ear infections, and my Adenoids taking out well as issues eating and swallowing,but the biggest thing was I hadnt gone through puberty. My family struggled growing up with money my mom was a single mom. Who worked 3 jobs at points in life. We had a house fire and a flood but we always managed to have what we needed. We lost my family doctor when we moved and it took us about 8 years find another doctor . At 16 when we finally were able to see her and we explained all of our concerns she was concerned & got me the next appointment with a paediatrician. The paediatrician & her student suspected i could have Turner syndrome and had me do a blood test it came back positive for TS I got referred to my paediatric endocrinologist at 17 who started me on hemotrope growth hormones, and estrogen. I was on the growth hormones and for about 5 years I was 4”8 when I first started my growth hormones I am now just over 5”1 other then some hearing issues in my left ear and some learning disabilities I’m lucky enough to have minimal health issues. I had a hard time with getting my growth hormones we couldn’t afford it and I need led we ended up luckily getting funding my doctors wanted me wait to get my licence and going to collage until my treatments were done. I’m glad to say I’m applying for the personal Support Worker program for September. 💜🙌🏻💜 #TurnerSyndromeAwareness #butterflywarrior #TSAwarenessMonth #ourstories
Shared via @amypolmans Day 15 brings a pretty cool story. Let me introduce you to Jordan Hello, my name is Jordan. I am a 24 year old mosaic TS butterfly. I was diagnosed when I was 5 years old when my pediatrician noticed that I wasn’t growing at the same rate as other girls my age. I have been fortunate enough to not have many of the outward symptoms of TS, and the issues that I do have (hypothyroidism, bicuspid aortic valve, horseshoe kidney, and hypertension) are all easily managed. Though it admittedly can feel lonely living with a rare condition that so few know about, having TS has taught me compassion, care, and determination. I feel incredibly honored to be a part of the TS sisterhood. I was blessed to be able to graduate high school with honors a few years ago and I will graduate college a semester early this December with a bachelors in Social Studies Education. Growing up, my parents never let me use my Turner’s as an excuse to achieve less than what I was capable of, and that’s the mentality that I’ve maintained as I’ve continued through college. I’m adamant that we’re butterflies are far more capable of achieving incredible things than we give ourselves credit for. We are resilient, we are beautiful, and we are incredibly strong. 💜🙌🏻💜 #TurnerSyndromeAwareness #butterflywarrior #TSAwarenessMonth #ourstories
Shared via @amypolmans Day 14 brings a long but incredible journey. Let me introduce you to Nicolette. My name is Nicolette, I am 29 and from Southern California. I am 4’9 » and was diagnosed before birth through an amniocentesis. I have a bicuspid Aortic Valve. My family and friends have been very supportive in what I do. When I was little and some in high school, I was picked on because I was short. In school, I didn’t have any trouble academically aside from math (especially geometry). In 2012, I went to the national turner syndrome camp and it was the first time I met anyone else with TS and met the most incredible people and still talk to some today. I am so grateful to have met them through this. In 2013, I graduated from high school and started college. In 2014, I was diagnosed with kerataconus (thinning of the cornea) and had to take a semester off. In 2017, I graduated from college with my Bachelors in Child Development. The same year and in 2018, I returned to the national turner syndrome camp as a counselor and again met some of the most incredible campers and counselors. In 2019, I started grad school for my teaching credential/masters. I want to teach U.S. history One of the things I have to do is take the CSETs (Subject exams for California) and had a hard time passing two of them to the point I had to take a year off in 2021. In 2022, I was able to come back and take history classes that fulfills the CSET requirements and hopefully begin student teaching next spring. I am now in my second year of being a substitute teacher and enjoying it. Last summer, I came back as a counselor for the national turner syndrome camp. In November (on my birthday), I found out that I am going to be an aunt and excited for my brother and sister-in-law. To end this post, I want to share these quotes: ‘The more you like yourself, the less you are like anyone else, which makes you unique » and « If you can dream it, you can do it’ -Walt Disney Happy awareness month 🦋❤💜🙌🏻💜 #TurnerSyndromeAwareness #butterflywarrior #TSAwarenessMonth #ourstories
Day 11 brings a woman with lot’s to share and a great story. Let me introduce you to Lindsay. My name is Lindsay Leach. I was finally diagnosed with Mosaic Turners at age 11 after years of my parents trying to figure out why I was not growing like I should. Took growth hormone for about 4 years. Grew from 4 foot 2 to 5 foot half an inch. Head over to Facebook for the rest of Lindsay’s story. 💜🙌🏻💜 #TurnerSyndromeAwareness #butterflywarrior #TSAwarenessMonth #ourstories
Shared via @amypolmans Head over to Facebook for the full story 💜🙌🏻💜 #TurnerSyndromeAwareness #butterflywarrior #TSAwarenessMonth #ourstories
Shared via @amypolmans Head over to Facebook for the full story 💜💜💜 #TurnerSyndromeAwareness #butterflywarrior #TSAwarenessMonth #ourstories
Shared via @amypolmans Day 8 brings you an amazing woman I met many years ago. She has been in many of my challenges groups and always has a smile on her face. My TS story starts when I was diagnosed between 6 and 7. I didn’t know or understand much about TS at first. I was luck and didn’t have many of the more serious complications. I was on growth hormone as a child and thyroid and FemHRT as an adult. As I became an adult I’ve been very lucky to meet some other fabulous butterflies and go to the US national conference. I’ve also become much more of an advocate and educator. I love how supportive is butterflies are of one another. I’m now working in the behavior health field as a Positive Support Analyst. I also work at a group home and for the Twins. 💜🙌🏻💜 #TurnerSyndromeAwareness #butterflywarrior #TSAwarenessMonth #ourstories
Shared via @amypolmans Day 6 brings a cutie and I just love her smile. I connected with her mom and have enjoyed hearing about her progress. Let me introduce you to Anna. My sweet Anna. We didn’t find out until after birth that she had Turner Syndrome. She had heart surgery and came home with a feeding tube. She see’s the Cardiologist and Endocrinologist roughly every 6 months. She’s full of spunk and definitely sassy! 🦋 She loves playing with her baby sister, playing with stickers and playing outside when the weather is nice! She loves her cows. She’s overcame so many obstacles in her short 7 years of life. 💜🙌🏻💜 #TurnerSyndromeAwareness #butterflywarrior #TSAwarenessMonth #ourstories
Shared via @amypolmans Day 5 brings this gorgeous woman warrior. She has quite a story and I am so glad I connected with her and can share her incredible journey. Please let me introduce you to Nina!!! Hi everyone and happy TS awareness month! My name is Nina, I’m from Australia, I’m 25 years old and I was diagnosed with Turner Syndrome at 18 months old. Since, I’ve had 30+ surgeries relating to my Turner Syndrome all over my body. Since graduating high school in 2016, I have studied my Bachelors Degree in Primary Education, My Cert.4 in Training and Assessment and landed my dream job as a trainer and assessor. I have an amazing partner who I’ve made so many beautiful memories with, and despite my Turner Syndrome I live such a normal, happy and successful life. This TS awareness month I want to let all other women with TS know to not let it get in your way or stop you from doing anything you put your mind to. Us TS women know better than anyone how much we can be looked down upon as small little girls who are incapable (we are known for being short and small after all 😂) but it is so important that we support and encourage each other. 💜🙌🏻💜 #TurnerSyndromeAwareness #butterflywarrior #TSAwarenessMonth #ourstories
Shared via @amypolmans So excited to share day 4 with you. Day 4 brings a woman who I have had the pleasure of connecting with many years ago because she asked me to speak at the local Turners Syndrome conference. I was so honoured and really admired her work for the Turner community. Since then we have teamed up on doing a few other things for the community that I have been so excited to be apart of. Let me introduce you to Sarah Hi, I am Sarah and yep, you guessed it, I have Turner Syndrome. I was diagnosed with TS shortly after being born. It was tough on my parents first, there wasn’t a lot of great information out there at the time. Thankfully, the Turner Syndrome Society of Canada was formed that same year! My family and I have met some really awesome people through the society which is why I give back as much as I can now to the TS community. Life with TS has been a struggle at times (just like any other normal person) Now, I am trying to just live my best life with the support of my family, my boyfriend and lots snuggles from my kitties 🙂 💜🙌🏻💜 #TurnerSyndromeAwareness #butterflywarrior #TSAwarenessMonth #ourstories
Meet Jocelyne. When I was 7 years old, my parents made an appointment with our GP because I wasn’t growing at a normal rate. The doctor sent me to a specialist who basically said nothing was wrong but to have the GP monitor my progress. Finally, when I was 13, I was sent to another specialist since no real progress was made. I was sent for blood work and I was diagnosed with TS. I have to say that I’ve been lucky because this really hasn’t imposed any real limitations on me. Today, I’m pretty much living my own life. I have a good job in information management within a federal government department and a husband of 10 years. 💜🙌🏻💜 #TurnerSyndromeAwareness #butterflywarrior #TSAwarenessMonth #ourstories
💜💜💜 #TurnerSyndromeAwareness #butterflywarrior #TSAwarenessMonth #ourstories Shared via @amypolmans Can’t wait to introduce you to…….Caroline. Hello, My name is Caroline. I am 20 years old, I am from Boston Mass and I’m a city girl through and through. I was diagnosed with Turner Syndrome at 2 years old because I was getting many ear and sinus infections as well as lots of colds, and strep throat, even after I got tubes and had my tonsils and adenoids removed. I have moderate hearing loss in my left ear and minor hearing loss in my right ear. I am on the shorter side I am 5’2. I did growth hormone starting at age 8 until I was around 16 years old. I also do hrt. When I was 14 I was diagnosed with psoriatic arthritis which has presented its own set of challenges. Autoimmune conditions are common in Turner Syndrome. The medications that I have been on for arthritis have affected my bone density. I found exercise really helps with my pain and I use it to ease the pain as well as a type of therapy. The beach and salt water also helps me with both of those things as well. I also have a bicuspid aortic valve. For me a big challenge that I deal with that is part of Turner Syndrome is self esteem issues but I attended two different amazing camps for girls with Turner syndrome and meeting other beautiful strong women with the same issues that I have really helped me mentally and I am still in contact with my friends that I made and we support each other through everything that we do. They are some of my best friends that I’ve ever had. The camps have taught me that just because I have Turner syndrome does not mean that I deserve anything any less than people without Turner syndrome, and it’s important to not let people treat you any differently.
Shared via @amypolmans 💜💜💜 #TurnerSyndromeAwareness #butterflywarrior #TSAwarenessMonth #ourstories Long post alert- Please read 👇 February 1st kicks off one of my favourite months of the year. It’s Turners Syndrome awareness month. A few years ago I did a thing where everyday in February I shared a different story of an amazing girl/woman with Turners. The outreach and support was amazing so I decided to do it again. I connected with this beauties grandmother awhile back and feeling the joy pour from her when she talked about her granddaughter was just incredible. I’m am So excited to introduce you to the amazing Maddy…. Maddy weighed a tiny 4.5 pounds at birth and has had to face many medical issues in the first few years of her life. She doesn’t have many of the characteristics that some Turners girls present and it wasn’t until recently that she was diagnosed. Although she has spent a lot of time in hospitals and has had to overcome many struggles, she always has a smile on her face. We love her so much and we are all trying to learn as much as we can about Turners Syndrome so that we can support her through any obstacles she may face. She is enjoying grade 1 and has many friends who she is very protective of. Because of genetics Maddy probably wouldn’t have grown very tall and because of other health issues the decision was made to forego growth hormone. She is a little ball of fire and she keeps us all on our toes. Maddy is a very gentle, kind and caring little girl who loves art, dance, music and animals. 😊 Please show some love with a heart or like for this total rockstar 🦋🦋 #turnersawarenessmonth #rockstar #beautifulbutterfly
Sunday January 21st 1pm ET/ 10am PT Let’s start the year off right! #butterflywarrior @amypolmans will be leading a virtual discussion focused on positivity, fitness and nutrition. 🙏💜 #goodvibesonly #fabfitfun #funwithfitness #turnersyndromestories Link in the comments.
Holiday shares from 2023 - Halloween, Thanksgiving and Christmas festivities - I can't do much, but my family and friends sure do step up to ensure I can still enjoy the holidays as much as possible 🥰🥰🥰 I am blessed! Namaste all, and cheers to 2024 and all of the love, light-filled adventures to come! Praying this year I can take a small step away from medical to enjoy my world a bit more... unfortunately, my health continues to decline, slowly but surely... so I embrace each moment that comes with all I have! My world has grown much smaller, but because of the souls who have dedicated themselves to assist me in having a better life overall, because of my furry babes and their unconditional love, because of the unwavering support I get from my close friends and family, my Mother especially... because of them, I still live a quality life 🦋💚✨😘🙏❤️🩹 #butterflywarrior
My beautiful furry crew... Seven Cat, Xander Man, Zorra Belle, and Miss Pearl Kitty... I am blessed 🦋💕✨ #myfurrycrew #sevencat #xanderman #zorrabelle #pearlkitty #blessed #butterflywarrior
#blessed #bemagnetic #additionalquotes #butterflywarrior #newyearmoregrowth #personalevolution #welcome2024 #wegotthis #snowydayin #godisgood I will be posting pics and clips from holiday season 2023 within the next week 😘 xO 🦋
It's crazy to think that we push down and essentially "ignore" our own self-care and mental health needs. When it comes to emotions, being emotional, swinging those "flood gates" open... most of us are simply "over-civilized" and have been taught our entire lives that we should never show emotion in front of others. That we should do so in our own private time. I feel that started teaching us, as a societal whole, to cut off our emotions in the moment and to: "deal with them another time"... It starts as children, is then carried into teen years, and finally adulthood. Trained from the start to not share emotion in front of others... and to never - GASP - show any kind of emotion in public settings, especially. It's no wonder that we bury our emotions, one on top of the other, eventually building up to a boiling point bc our brains and bodies, physically, mentally, they are no longer able to cope. There's literally no space left for any other emotion, pain, anger, sadness, nothing; no energy left to continue carrying that heaviness around... not until we deal with what's already there. In the meantime, we cycle through everything stored up within ourselves bc it is all still there, bc we've never allowed ourselves to purge all of that -whatever-, so we're stuck in it, with it, until we do something about it. When we give ourselves the love, the space, the respect... and the permission to unlock those "gates"; when we finally drain our bodies and brains of all that toxic energy... the noise and nonsense we've been carrying for YEARS, which has simply collected more and more of the emotions we've yet to deal with... once that's literally out of our system, all of that madness starts to dissipate and we can finally start to heal - from the inside out ❤️🩹 Break old habits, unlearn old ways of thinking. This has to be a continuous process. Embrace the future of communication, of honesty, of true emotion. As long as you're not hurting others or yourself, there is zero shame in showing how you truly feel in the moment. Namaste 💕 Cheers to 2024 😘🦋✌️ #butterflywarrior #begooddogoodinspiregood I will be posting pictures from 2023 holiday season soon! xO 😘
Happy New Year! I'm posting a little early for New Year, but a little late for Christmas, so I'm covering both in one. I hope you all had a wonderful Christmas! Ice skating and fibromyalgia don't mix well 😂 but I was actually able to skate! A month ago, I couldn't have done it all. I'm gaining strength and improving coordination and balance, a little bit at a time. Yesterday was my 2 year anniversary with my amazing boyfriend, who is my biggest supporter, and I wouldn't be where I am without him. It was a wonderful day. It was a wonderful Christmas last week too, and I'm very excited for the challenges and joys the new year will bring. Keep strong, keep praying, and keep learning. Happy New Year! I pray this will be a year of growth, understanding, resilience, and healing for everyone dealing with trauma, chronic illness, depression, and fear. May your sorrows turn to joys, your fears into courage, and may you have peace in all your ways. #newyear #2024 #healing #fibromyalgia #chronicillness #chronicpain #healthjourney #ptsd #recovery #trauma #motherwound #abusesurvivor #survivor #butterflywarrior #happynewyear
I höstas fick jag återigen äran att utgöra ett stöd för ännu en fin person - en pappa som kontaktade mig med anledning av att han nyligen blivit pappa till lille E ❤️ Lille E led, precis som min Frank, av Epidermolysis bullosa Herlitz aka EB aka dödssjukdomen aka ”den värsta sjukdomen du aldrig hört talas om”. Jag fick följa familjens kamp i 3 månader men idag möttes jag av beskedet att lille E, nu 4 månader gammal, hade kämpat klart 💔 Bara i Sverige föds ungefär 1 barn om året med EB Herlitz. Inga glittriga galor samlar in pengar för ett botemedel, inga statliga forskningsanslag delas ut och sjukdomen är okänd även för sjukvården. Detta trots att små små barn, helt utan undantag, dör på det mest brutala och plågsamma sätt mänskligheten skådat. Det är fanimej inte klokt. I himlen har inga barn ont. Vila i frid lille superhjälte ❤️🦸♂️🦋 #eb #epidermolysisbullosa #cureeb #weneedacure #ebföreningen #butterflywarrior #zuperfrank
Hit a milestone: Today was the first day in 3 months where I was able to leave my support cane at home! I've been 5 days now, only using it in the evening and for stairs, and now I will have officially been without it a full day. Victories like these are so fulfilling, and I am so happy to be almost back to normal again. It's important for anyone with a chronic illness to remember, though, that there is nothing wrong with using tools like canes to get yourself through your day. If you need it, you need it, and that is okay. On bad days when the rain is affecting me, or for long walks, I'll still use mine. But I am happy to be able to do a full work day without it as I recover strength. I've begun a fibromyalgia friendly workout program and I will be getting some more tests done to figure out exactly where I am health wise, and continuing my journey towards a fully healthy life. I'm proud of all who get through each day while fighting chronic pain, and keep on growing. #fibromyalgia #chronicillness #victory #butterflywarrior #chronicpain #chronicillnesswarrior #lymearthritis #lymedisease #lymewarrior
#pearlcat #myfurrybaby #butterflywarrior #bungalowlife #itsajungleinhere
#Repost Credit belongs to: @.shejoinstheworld with @get_repost If you like it...please Follow me to see more I've been off my support cane for half a day! It's the little victories that help us through this. I've been doing more research into fibromyalgia, the awareness campaigns, support groups, and I'm very happy to see how Butterfly Warriors come together. I don't feel alone in this illness and I'm so glad to finally understanding and treatment for what I've been fighting this whole time. #fibromyalgiaawareness #fibromyalgia #butterflywarrior #littlevictories #healing #healthjourney #nervoussystemdisorder #chronicillness #chronicpain AZlover229
I've been off my support cane for half a day! It's the little victories that help us through this. I've been doing more research into fibromyalgia, the awareness campaigns, support groups, and I'm very happy to see how Butterfly Warriors come together. I don't feel alone in this illness and I'm so glad to finally understanding and treatment for what I've been fighting this whole time. #fibromyalgiaawareness #fibromyalgia #butterflywarrior #littlevictories #healing #healthjourney #nervoussystemdisorder #chronicillness #chronicpain
#butterflywarrior #menhavelupus #knowlupus #lupuswarrior
#butterflywarrior #menhavelupus #knowlupus #lupuswarrior
Father of a cancer SLAYER🦋💪 #butterflywarrior #thyroidcancerawarenessmonth
Liver biopsy round two... #igotthis #zorrabelle #butterflywarrior
❤️ #chronicpainwarrior #chronicfatiguewarrior #chronicillnesswarrior #lupuswarrior #primaryimmunodefiencywarrior #cvidwarrior #fibromyalgiawarrior #ibswarrior #migrainewarrior #brokenwarrior #depressionwarrior #anxietywarrior #mentalhealthwarrior #resilient #butterflywarrior #zebrastrong #zebrawarrior #rarediseasewarrior #awareness #advocate #lookfinefeelaweful #youdontlooksick #youdontlookdisabled #youdontlook39
My furry family, and a simple hello to your world, from ours 🥰🐈⬛🩷🐱💜🐈🩵🐕💚🌻🥰 #sevencat #pearlgirl #xanderman #zorrabelle #butterflywarrior #furryfam #blessed BE GOOD, DO GOOD, INSPIRE GOOD, ALWAYS... Namaste 🙏🦋💕
These days I mostly post to the "24 hour stories"... cute, simple, joyful little posts... but sometimes I do feel like sharing and updating, and this is one of those times I suppose ☺️💕🦋 Yesterday I was (finally) seen at the Mayo Clinic in Phoenix, AZ. I suffer, daily, from a combination of complex autoimmune diseases and severe, chronic pain - mostly due to neurological disorders and my nervous system essentially "crashing". One specific issue I'm having is with my liver. I have been diagnosed with Stage 2 fibrosis/cirrhosis and chronic liver disease. I was seen yesterday by the head of the Hepatology/GI department for my initial consultation. They drew blood and are planning to do another liver biopsy procedure. My enzymes have been off the charts high! And they can't seem to pin point a reason... being diagnosed with chronic liver disease simply means they know my liver is damaged, that it is not functioning properly, that my liver is "sick", to over simplify. Now they're trying to figure out the "why", so that we can hopefully get things under control. There is such a thing as the "point of no return"... once you cross that line with certain medical disorders, there's simply no coming back - those are the words from the two doctors I saw yesterday at Mayo. The severe pain I'm having in my right side is officially unrelated to my liver - that's a whole other thing I'll have to set aside until my liver situation is a bit more ... situated 😝 Thank you for reaching out, thank you for the love and support, always. I've been through one liver biopsy procedure already, it was truly traumatic. A lot of that had to do with how I was treated during the entire process, start to finish, the entire thing was completely terrible. I was, however, assured over and over by my new Mayo doctors that I would be in GREAT, capable, compassionate hands during my upcoming procedure there, at their clinic. That is the one thing I am truly dreading 😰! Prayers are always welcomed and appreciated. A HUGE thank you to my MAMA! For your unconditional love and support, your time and sacrifice ☺️💜🦋 #butterflywarrior #mayoclinicphoenix #igotthis #mymamarules #strongasswomen
Hoy traigo un rediseño de este personaje que por mucho tiempo no tenía una historia tan emocionante, salvo ser una especie en peligro escondiéndose de la humanidad. Ahora ya se defiende xD y le puse ropa chidori. Un poco inspiradas en las armaduras de algunas civilizaciones mesoamericanas, me pareció que quedaba bien. En cuanto a su nombre yo le he puesto Tem, siempre digo que será un nombre provisional pero al final se le termina quedando xD así que aquí está Tem, el guerrero mariposa del atardecer 🌅 #mipersonaje #myoc #myowncharacter #mariposamonarca #guerrerodelarardecer #butterflywarrior #archer #arquero #sunset #arteoriginal #originalart #artedigital #dibujodigital #procreateart
It's been a tough 10 years but also 10 years full of magic. I have nothing to complain, I've lived so many lives already. I've learnt so much in this time. I was forced to take life less seriously, and I was forced to reinvent myself. But I love this version of me, I love this life. And some days are more challenging than others but I'm gonna be fine!!! ✨✨✨✨ #thyroid #thyroidcancer #thyca #butterflywarrior #rai #cancer #10y #strong #fighter #theresnogivingup
Thank you so much for coming out to visit me, Gina Girl! I really appreciate you taking the time and making the effort... I had such a wonderful time while you were here! "Hey, hey Pat... is that a hotdog in your sleeve?! Pat, are you eating a hotdog??"... hahaha 😝🌭🧥!! I hope you and your family are enjoying your souvenirs, and I hope you enjoyed your visit with me as much as I enjoyed having you here 😘🌸🤟🐞💜 You're one of my best friends and I'm so very grateful for the past 19+ years of friendship with you! Cheers to the next 19 years and counting! xOXo sweet soul ☺️💕🫶🌺😸!! #ginagirl #socalbestie #19yearsandcounting #rosaspizzeriaprescott #zorrabelle #butterflywarrior @gina.fiore.3591 @gfiore_14
My furry family is the best... they keep me going, give me purpose and a literal reason to get up every morning 🥰🩷🦋 I am so blessed to not only have my furry kiddos, but to have my human family too haha 😝! Genuinely grateful for all of the love and support I'm surrounded by on a daily basis 😸🫶💛 #genuinelyblessed #genuinelygrateful #genuinelyjoyful #furryfamily #familylove #familysupport #sevencat #pearlandxander #zorrabelle #oreocakesters #butterflywarrior
My reminder to quit playing around and get on it! My focus has shifted back!....My reminder to not just work, but WORK #focusshift #noexcuses #operationgetmylife #butterflyfit #butterflywarrior
The goal is to simply show up and put in the work....Listen 10 minutes everyday...now work #operationgetmylife #butterflyfit #butterflywarrior #lupuschick #lupuschick #150jumprope
Today I thought about saying I was not going to work out, l was going to do the bare minimum because I traveled back from visiting my family and I was sore from Leg Day Monday....but ummm the Discipline in me said work and so I did, 1.50 Miles Run and Heavy Shoulder and Back kind of day!!! #operationgetmylife #butterflywarrior #butterflywarrior
It is ALWAYS nice to have someone to push you! Initially I was not going to run but walk because I was feeling those 9 miles from yesterday's run, but the Amazing Menda pushed me to run 3 Miles this morning at the BGR City wide run...honestly I couldn't tell it was 3 miles because we ran and conversated and she is into Bodybuilding Competitions, so we definitely had a lot in common! #noexcuses #runonpurpose #butterflyfit #butterflywarrior #bgrhouston
Let's Get it...Let's Grow!!! #operationgetmylife #liffitgym #noexcuses #butterflywarrior #butterflyfit
Something so beautiful and graceful as a butterfly is abandoned at birth and goes through metamorphosis all alone yet it soars and offers a great wonder to this world. I doubt if it stops and wonders why it was abandoned because now survival and purpose are a matter of importance as the world is touched by its majestic presence! Today, let us reflect on the butterfly if you are still struggling with the abandonment issues of your past. #soar #befree #abandonmentissues #butterflywarrior #sisterwarrior #takenoprisoners #breatheagain #ThePerfectFind #laviniaspeaks #TheLaviniaMastersAct #blackexcellence #blackhistory #lifecoach #liveyourbestlife #yougothis #womeninfilm #livedexperience #blackgirlsrock #blackgirlmagic #twistoffaith #HopesDaughter
8 Miles No Sweat....No Excuses, All Work...Let Get it...Let's Grow! #operationgetmylife #butterflyfit #butterflywarrior
Unmasking Lupus: Join us in raising awareness for this invisible warrior. Lupus may hide in plain sight, but its symptoms are real. Help us support the Lupus Foundation and shed light on the challenges faced by those living with this complex autoimmune disease. 💜🦋 . . . #LupusAwareness #UnmaskingLupus #lupusfoundation #lupustexas #butterflywarrior #silentdisease #autoimmuneflare #autoimmunedisease
Listen, even on Family Vacation, I'm grinding. I am not making excuses for ME, only that I need to get up and make it count. Every workout is personal to me. Every morning, I wake up and run on Purpose along with weight training! #operationgetmylife #lupuschick #butterflyfit #butterflywarrior
Penstemon digitalis (Foxglove beardtongue) #mdnatives #nativeplants #gardeningforwildlife #butterflywarrior #penstemondigitalis #foxglovebeardtongue #habitatgardening #gardenforwildlife #cloverlymd
First signs of this year's Butterfly Milkweed (Asclepias tuberosa) blooms in the garden! #mdnatives #nativeplants #butterflymilkweed #gardeningforwildlife #butterflywarrior #asclepiastuberosa #habitatgardening #gardenforwildlife #cloverlymd
You asked, we listened, fragrance free available now #butterflywarrior #magnesiummassagebutter #mawsboutique #fibromyalgia #hiddenillness #hiddenillnessawareness #restlesslegsyndrome #restlesslegs #chronicillness #chronicfatigue #sleepaid #menstrualcramps #fibro #charleyhorse #me #cfs #selfcare #skincare #metime
I don't need anyone to tell me my Worth because GOD already told me that I am more Precious than rubies!!! HAVE Amazing Day on Purpose and please know that God Loves you and so do I! #keeppushing #keepstanding #keeptrusting #butterflywarrior #operationgetmylife