We are walking to raise awareness and funds for Dup15q Alliance. If you can't make it to the walk, please consider making a donation in honor of Madison.

Sunday, October 7, 2018
Registration begins at 9 a.m.
Walk begins at 10 a.m.

Freedom Park - 86 Union Street Medford, NJ

Register for the Believe Walk Here

If you can't make the walk, please consider a donation to the Dup15q Alliance

in support of Super Duper kids like Madison!

Madison's Story

On June 21, 2007, a baby girl named Madison was born. She is our little blessing that completed our family. Towards the end of the pregnancy, the doctors diagnosed me with polyhydramnios (estimated large fetal size). She was delivered full term via c-section at 8lbs 14oz. Madison came into this world with her hands folded in prayer, just like an angel. It was an amazing site! Luke is her brother and he is 2 1/2 years older. Luke is very protective of his sister and Madison adores her brother.

Madison was a calm and happy baby. We noticed delays her milestones such as crawling, walking, and talking. Between one and two years old, Madison started falling, bumping into things, and having ear infections. Our pediatrician suggested we look into Early Intervention Services. Madison received services for physical therapy and speech. The therapists were wonderful but I wasn't seeing much progress. Even with these services, doctors could not pinpoint why Madison was still so delayed.

When our little Madison turned three, we saw the geneticist at Children's Hospital of Philadelphia. After a blood test, Madison was diagnosed with mosaicism for a bi-satellited inverted duplication on chromosome 15. I remember sitting in the office, trying to process the information and tightly hugging my little angel. The doctors told me very little about this disorder and wished us good luck. After lots of research, we found Dup15q Alliance. This group is our second family and we are so grateful.

That same year, Madison started Pennington School and continued with the same services including occupational therapy. Putting my three year old on a school bus, by herself, was difficult for me. However, Madison was so confident and couldn't wait to go to school.

Our daughter takes Miralax for severe constipation. She has tibial torsion and femoral anteversion (intoeing). She also has mild hearing loss in both ears. She also constantly struggles with delays, anxiety, and low muscle tone.

Madison wakes up with a smile and goes to bed with a smile. She is a beautiful 9 year old elementary school student. Her interests are music, singing, baby dolls, cheer, and eating chips. Madison has such a loving heart and simply enjoys life!