Hi all,

I have a 22 year old baby sister named Cynthia who was born with a rare condition named Crouzon Syndrome. Crouzon Syndrome is a hereditary condition diagnosed based on a pattern of cranial and facial malformations. The basic identifiable sign of Crouzon Syndrome, present also in many similar disorders, is premature fusion of the sutures. Facial symptoms include exophthalmos (small eye sockets), midface hypoplasia, and vertically compressed nasal passages (giving the nose a "beaked" appearance). Non-craniofacial symptoms are also sometimes present. (for more info, go to: Crouzon Support at AboutFace USA - FAQ) and Hydrocephalus (for more info, go to: Hydrocephalus Fact Sheet: National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS))

By the age of eighteen, she has undergone 18 surguries (so figure one surgery for each year of her life)

If you look at her you would be able to tell something wasn't right but not sure what. But to me she is beautiful! She is extremely intelligent - she will be a college junior this fall studying to be a social worker. She is extremely kind and sensitive.

When she was born I was ten years old and the oldest so I helped my mother raised her. So in all aspect sometimes I see her as my first daughter. To me, Cynthia is my best friend and sister also.

The reason for all this outpouring is because I got a call from our brother Sunday night (June 21st) that Cynthia had taken an overdose of medicine. They rushed her to RUMC where they intubated her and pumped her stomach with charcoal.

She spent two nights in intensive care and then she voluntarily commited herself to a pysch floor.

She is home now.

Her's what she told me:
She said that she can deal (handle) with all her medical problems and conditions. For example, her feet go out a little and they start to hurt after wearing shoes for some time. If she knows that at the end of the day she has someone to love her and respect her and be in a committed loving relationship with (which she doesn't have)!!!! She said without that, all her pain and suffering don't seem worth it!

She said that in today's society looks are highly regarded and because of that she doesn't stand a chance!

She also said that she wasn't trying to kill herself (she knows and believes she will go to hell) but instead has been taking pills to dulled the pain and help her go to sleep.

But after she took these pills, her heart started to burn and she knew something bad was going to happen so she told our brother!!

I love my baby sister Cynthia dearly. Can you please keep her in your thoughts and prayers!

One last favor, can you please send her a card (she loves getting mail like me and loves stickers)

PM me for her addy:

Thanks for taking the time and energy to read this!

Her's a pic of her (taken at my baby shower):

I'm not even sure what to say. I could never even imagine what she must be going through. I will keep her in my thoughts. I hope everything turns out ok and she gets that degree!

I will keep your little sis in my thoughts and will be happy to send her a card, although I think you should remove her addy from your post and ask people to PM you for it (too many crazies out there!).

Added pic of her!

Thanks for the pic! She looks like a total sweetheart!!

I will keep her in my thoughts and prayers.... Tell her to hang in there!

I am going to PM you for the address but I wanted to share a quick story with you that I hope you'll share with her in the meantime. I instantly thought of this when I read her story.

When I was 14, I met a girl name Angelique who has Cerabel Palsey (sp?) and has been in a wheelchair since she was about 8 I believe.. She was 3 years older than me and was dating a neighbor. They didn't last long and I would learn in the years to come that this was a common trend in her relationships. The novelty of her being in a wheelchair would draw guys in but they would quickly lose interest.

I think what bugged her (and me) the most is that people would try to set her up with guys that were extremely mentally challenged, not understanding why this was so insulting to her.

She was lonely for a lot of years and refused to settle for someone she felt was undeserving of her. Well, I am happy to say that about 2 years ago, at the age of 32, she married the man of her dreams who loves her just as she is. She can never have kids, her body has become more twisted and disfigured over the years and she can never go hiking with him which is his favorite activity. But he told us at dinner one night that the first time he met her, he felt like he had always known her. They have one of those smug relationships that kinda makes you want to vomit...with happiness of course.

He is such a nice guy, is super smart (just like her), a dentist and, if I must say, a real hottie!

Your sister needs only to wait. A LOT of girls have not found that special someone by 22. When the right man comes along, he will look into her eyes and see into her soul and her loneliness now will just make that day so much sweeter.

If you miss me, go here.

Oh Brenda, it breaks my heart to read that. I know your sister is beautiful inside and out. If there's anything I can do, let me know.

((((BIG HUGS)))) She is in my prayers. I am PM you now.

I believe in Santa!

Oh that is just heartbreaking! I am so sorry that your sister is hurting and suffering---she is beautiful! I will keep her in my thoughts and prayers.