The 22q Family Foundation

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The 22q Family Foundation 22q Family is dedicated to improving the quality of life for those affected by 22q11.

Most big reactions don't start in the moment they appear. They start earlier, in whatever the day already asked.The usua...
02/09/2026

Most big reactions don't start in the moment they appear. They start earlier, in whatever the day already asked.

The usual question is "why is this happening again." We use a different one: what has today already asked of them? A rough night's sleep, a change in routine, an appointment earlier that day, none of it visible from outside. All anyone sees is the reaction.

Anger that seems to come from nowhere often has anxiety sitting underneath it. For adults especially, the build-up can look like withdrawal rather than an outburst, going quiet, cancelled plans, "I'm fine" on repeat.

None of this is about spotting problems to prevent. It's about recognising a reaction was already building, long before it looked like one.

Preorder our webinar now and sign up for the live Q&A on September 13. Check out our website or follow the link in the comment section

Follow us for more on 22q.

✨ TODAY IS THE DAY ✨Registration is now open for our 2027 Conference: Stronger Together!Built around the principles of C...
01/09/2026

✨ TODAY IS THE DAY ✨

Registration is now open for our 2027 Conference: Stronger Together!

Built around the principles of Connect, Learn, and Belong, this national conference brings expert-led education, trusted resources, meaningful conversations, and family-centered experiences together in one welcoming place.

Join us Summer 2027 to discover new information, build lasting relationships, and make unforgettable memories with a community that truly understands!

📆 WHEN: June 11-13, 2027
📍 WHERE: Denver, CO
👨‍👩‍👧 WHO: Anyone in the 22q Community!

Register today at https://events.22qfamilyfoundation.org/stronger-together-22q-family-conference-2027

🎉 IT'S ALMOST TIME 🎉Registration opens September 1st for our very first 22q Family Conference!Join us this summer in Den...
01/09/2026

🎉 IT'S ALMOST TIME 🎉

Registration opens September 1st for our very first 22q Family Conference!

Join us this summer in Denver, CO 🌄 for a weekend of education, connection, and community.

👀 And keep an eye out... we'll announce special discounts for you early birds tomorrow! DM us to join our email list and get those discounts straight to your inbox.

💙 I have 22q, and "I can't" is not in my vocabulary 💙Meet Michelle! At 49 years old, Michelle is a force to be reckoned ...
30/08/2026

💙 I have 22q, and "I can't" is not in my vocabulary 💙

Meet Michelle! At 49 years old, Michelle is a force to be reckoned with. She works as an office tech for the Department of Conservation, serves as a member of the California State Disability Council, and hosts her own podcast: The Awareness Show 🎙️ Michelle is upbeat, friendly, and a passionate advocate in the 22q community.

Since the beginning, Michelle has been a fighter. She was born with a congenital heart defect, which required open heart surgeries at ages 2, 5, and 13. She also had two surgeries for a cleft palate, along with ear and mouth surgeries. At 17, Michelle suffered a grand mal seizure that left her in a coma for nearly a week and resulted in brain damage. It wasn't until she was 30 years old that she finally received her 22q11.2 diagnosis — a moment that brought answers to a lifetime of questions.

Through it all, Michelle was still able to earn her AA degree and her BA degree, build a career, and become a powerful voice for the 22q community.

She fights hard to increase awareness for 22q, drawing attention to the gaps in knowledge and research about the condition. While awareness is improving, she emphasizes that we can always push it further!

Michelle's advice for others with 22q is this:

"Never give up. Go after your dreams and don't let anyone tell you that you can't! 'I can't' is not in my vocabulary."

💙💙💙

Thank you, Michelle, for your strength, your advocacy, and for sharing your story with us!
👉Interested in telling your story? Fill out our Faces of 22q form at https://forms.office.com/r/S4Ss1cx4eZ to help spread awareness and inspire others!

Meet QT: our 22q Family Foundation mascot! Designed and created by Michelle Breedlove Sells (former executive director o...
28/08/2026

Meet QT: our 22q Family Foundation mascot! Designed and created by Michelle Breedlove Sells (former executive director of the Dempster Family Foundation), this adorable puppet has become an unforgettable part of our local events and social media star.

We now sell stuffed animals based off QT as well! She's been a wonderful companion to many in our community at appointments, surgeries, and moments when a little comfort is needed 💙

Thanks so much to everyone who joined us for our Conference Q+A session! So many great questions and conversation surrou...
26/08/2026

Thanks so much to everyone who joined us for our Conference Q+A session! So many great questions and conversation surrounding one of our most exciting endeavors yet 💙

If you couldn't make it, be sure to check out the recording below to learn a bit more about our plans for next summer's conference ⬇️

It's that time of the year again... Happy Back to School!!!We know it's chaotic right now, but we're on your side 🤝💙 Be ...
24/08/2026

It's that time of the year again... Happy Back to School!!!

We know it's chaotic right now, but we're on your side 🤝💙 Be sure to check out our free programs and resources to get expert guidance for 22q learning needs.

Reach out today so that we can support you and your child with our research-based services!

👉 Learn how we can help you this school year at https://22qfamily.org/resources/educationstationconsulting.

✨ I have 22q and I am proud of my resilience ✨Meet Kennedy--one of our previous scholarship winners! At 21, Kennedy is p...
22/08/2026

✨ I have 22q and I am proud of my resilience ✨

Meet Kennedy--one of our previous scholarship winners! At 21, Kennedy is pursuing her goal of becoming a teacher. She attends Emporia State University, where she's set to graduate next year. With a huge passion for writing and creativity, she's also working on her very first novel: a murder mystery set in a small town.

Kennedy's 22q journey began with not really understanding why certain things were harder for her than they seemed to be for others. Many of the challenges she faced growing up didn’t have clear answers at first. Being diagnosed with 22q DS brought a mix of emotions; part of her felt overwhelmed and scared, but another part felt relieved to finally have a name for what she had been experiencing.

Kennedy's journey has included both physical and developmental challenges. There have been appointments, tests, and times when her health required extra attention. School could also be challenging; sometimes she needed extra support or accommodations to keep up. It wasn’t always easy to explain to others why certain things were harder for her.

One of her biggest challenges has been feeling different. There were moments of frustration, self-doubt, and wondering why she was different. Social situations and learning challenges sometimes tested her confidence, but over time, she learned that her differences are also part of her strength!

What has helped her most was support from family, teachers, doctors, and people who understand 22q. Finding community and learning more about her diagnosis helped her feel less alone. She has also learned to advocate for herself and celebrate even the "small" wins.

One of Kennedy's biggest strengths is resilience. Through the many medical appointments, learning differences, and moments of uncertainty, she always continued to push forward.

She has learned that strength doesn’t always look loud or dramatic--sometimes it’s just showing up to appointments, pushing through hard school days, or advocating for yourself even when it feels uncomfortable.

💙💙💙

Thank you, Kennedy, for sharing your journey!

Interested in telling your story? Fill out our Faces of 22q form at https://forms.office.com/r/S4Ss1cx4eZ to help spread awareness and inspire others!

This National Nonprofit Day, we thought we'd reintroduce ourselves 💙For 10 years now, we're proud to be a growing commun...
18/08/2026

This National Nonprofit Day, we thought we'd reintroduce ourselves 💙

For 10 years now, we're proud to be a growing community of individuals, families, and advocates who show up for one another every single day. From raising awareness to connecting families with the resources and support they need, everything we do is driven by the people behind this diagnosis.

If you or someone you know has been diagnosed with 22q, this is your place. Let's connect, learn, and grow together!

✨ I have 22q, and I can do anything I put my mind to ✨Meet Becca Biller from the Boston area! At 33 years old, Becca wor...
14/08/2026

✨ I have 22q, and I can do anything I put my mind to ✨

Meet Becca Biller from the Boston area! At 33 years old, Becca works part time in retail — a job she has held for 5 years alongside bosses and coworkers who have become true friends 💙 She is also a proud member of Springboard, a social group for adults with disabilities to meet people, make friends, and enjoy fun events together each month.

Becca was diagnosed with 22q at just 3 years old, after her mom noticed she was late to start walking. At her appointment, a nurse who had just returned from a conference on VCFS suggested genetic testing. FISH testing confirmed that she had 22q.

From there, Becca's journey took many twists and turns. Throughout her school years, she navigated learning challenges with an IEP and faced the added difficulty of bullying and feeling like she didn't have many friends. For a while, Becca could only be understood by her sister when she spoke, but her hard work in speech therapy helped her find her voice.

She was also diagnosed with severe scoliosis, which required a special back brace and eventually spinal fusion surgery in middle school. After surgery, she grew more than anticipated and had to go under a second time to extend the fusion.

But through it all, Becca kept going! Today, she has the friendships, the community, and the life she always deserved 💙

She wants other families and individuals to know:

"It may seem difficult in the beginning, but it does get easier. Even though I might have learning disabilities, I can still do anything I put my mind to just like anyone else!"

💙💙💙

Thank you, Becca, for telling us about your journey!
👉 Interested in sharing your story? Fill out our Faces of 22q form at https://forms.office.com/r/S4Ss1cx4eZ to help spread awareness and inspire others!

Address

CA

Opening Hours

Monday 09:00 - 17:00
Tuesday 09:00 - 17:00
Wednesday 09:00 - 17:00
Thursday 09:00 - 17:00
Friday 09:00 - 17:00

Telephone

+18312004227

Website

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