Problem Statement
Turner Syndrome is a chromosomal disorder in which girls are born with only one or only part of second X chromosome. Medical researchers are unsure of what causes this lack of chromosome, but the end result is a girl with chromosomal issues. These chromosomal issues can cause a myriad of physical and medical problems. Girls who aren't treated at an early age reach an average height of about 4 foot 7 inches, they have ovaries that do not develop properly, which affects a girl's sexual development and the ability to have children. The ovaries are responsible for making the hormones that control breast growth and menstruation, thus most girls don't go through puberty completely. Being treated with growth hormones can help this, but nearly all girls with Turner Syndrome will be infertile, or unable to become pregnant on their own. In addition to these depending of how much of their second X chromosome is missing, Turner Syndrome girls can experience kidney problems, high blood pressure, heart problems, and diabetes.
Since Turner Syndrome can affect so many girls and their families, it's important that we assure them that they are as important as everyone else. It's easy to lose self-esteem and confidence when you look different from your peers, when you don't have breasts and other girls your age do. But in addition to the self-esteem issues, the associated health problems are major health issues today. Diabetes is "a common, growing, serious, [and] costly...public health problem." and Turner Syndrome girls are at a higher risk of developing it. With kidney issues being in the leading causes of death for the United States, it's even more imperative that more attention is given to this disorder.
There are many organizations that deal with Turner Syndrome, such as the Turner Syndrome of the United States, which offers support in the form of education, FAQs, and organized events that all go to Turner Syndrome research. Although their information is readily available for the public to see via the internet, the information isn't at the forefront of the general public's view; this is why more active information needs to be available. People need to become informed of this disorder and just because information is available, doesn't mean people are reading it because they may not think of disorder if they see a girl who is short and flat-chested. In addition to this, they focus on support for families but not so much of educating the public to create a more understanding environment for those with Turner Syndrome to live in.