I’m 44 years old, and I grew up in New Jersey. After high school, I went to college in Connecticut and majored in psychology. I then went straight in to graduate school and received my master’s degree in speech-language pathology.

After graduate school, I took a job back in Connecticut and worked for two years. Then I made my way back to New Jersey, working at a school for children with autism. I started working there in 2000, and I still work there today.

I met my husband in 2003, and we married in 2004. We have two children who are 16 months apart in age. My daughter is now almost 10, and my son is 8. My days right now are busy with working full time and running the kids to all of their activities.

I have SA/CRS, and as you can see, it did not in any way define my life. I have not had any surgeries related to SA/CRS, but I have been catheterizing since I was 6 1/2, and  I take Miralax every other day to manage constipation and prevent impaction. As I age, I note that I have developed arthritis in my lower back, which slows me down some days but doesn’t keep me down. Thus far, I walk without mobility aids. I’m not the fastest person around, but I get where I need to go. The story you are reading could be that of any busy working mom, and it is my story, too. My family and the life we have built are amazing.