The story of Sydney
Hi! My name is Sydney Alper! I was born with a rare chromosome disorder called chromosome 18q-proximal deletion. 1 in 55,000 babies are born with it. Some of the symptoms of chromosome 18 are developmental delays, low muscle tone, growth hormone deficiency, hearing impairment and bilateral clubfoot. When I was 9 months old, I was sick with a cold and I wasn’t reaching milestones as babies usually do at that age. So I had to go to my pediatrician and the doctor said I had to go to the emergency room. So my parents took me and the doctors took my blood test and two weeks later, the doctor called my parents and said I have chromosome 18q-proximal deletion. The doctors told my parents I wouldn’t be able to walk or talk my entire life! But at 4 years old with the help of my speech pathologist, I started walking and talking and I proved the doctors wrong! This goes to tell you you can do anything you put your mind to! I had a spelling word in 4th grade called unique. I had to write a sentence with the word unique in it for homework. My mom helped me and I wrote I am Sydney and I am unique! Everytime I doubt myself be cause of my disability, I always use that sentence to lift me up! I am currently a best buddies ambassador for New York State! And I’ve been guests on podcasts talking about my story with chromosome 18!