31/05/2026
💙 I have 22q, and resilience runs in my family 💙
Meet Sammie: a mother of seven and fierce advocate for her family.
Sammie's 22q journey actually began when one of her sons was diagnosed. After his diagnosis, doctors recommended testing for the rest of the family, and Sammie learned that she, along with one of her other sons, also has 22q11.2 deletion syndrome. She learned that with each child, there is a 50/50 chance of them being born with 22q.
Receiving a diagnosis later in life was both scary and clarifying. Suddenly, many of the health challenges she and her boys have experienced made more sense. Today, Sammie and her sons navigate a wide range of medical appointments and monitoring, including care related to the heart, kidneys, hearing, spine, immune system, and more.
As a busy mom raising seven children, she has learned that strength doesn't mean facing challenges alone. Through foundations like the 22q Family and Max Appeal, she has found great information and a supportive community that has helped her better understand the condition.
Sammie says one of the biggest lessons she's learned is just how strong she and her boys really are. No matter what challenges come their way, they face them together.
Her advice to other families is to keep staying strong, keep fighting through the hard times, and remember that you are not alone. There are others walking a similar path, ready to support you.
And above all, Sammie wants others to know that a diagnosis doesn't define a person. Even though you may feel different, you were created exactly as you were meant to be!
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Thank you, Sammie, for telling us about your journey!
👉 Interested in sharing your story? Visit https://forms.office.com/r/S4Ss1cx4eZ to help spread awareness and inspire others!
