Our Philosophy
Children are the most precious thing a parent or educator has charge of in a lifetime.
Sometimes these children need us to advocate for their rights when they are born with genetic conditions that can cause both physical challenges and the need for extra mental stimulation. This is the case when there is a genetic defect in a child's DNA.
Specifically, FACE 22 supports those that have missing pieces of the 22 chromosome in varying degrees.
Our mission is to support each other as parents and caregivers while educating the school system, the medical community and the world at large about our great kids and the extra attention they might require to reach their full potential as adults.
What is FACE 22?
We are first and foremost a support network for those that have a chromosome deletion, specifically chromosome 22, and their caregivers.
To learn more, please view our PowerPoint presentation.
Deletion 22 Diagnosis
Our children look the same as other kids in physical appearance. Only when you look at their medical histories do you notice a difference. They can suffer from any combination of more than physical 187 anomalies and these conditions can vary from mild to severe.
The 22q11.2 Deletion Syndrome is an abnormality on the twenty-second chromosome that can cause such health problems as heart defects, immune deficiency, palate and speech issues, hearing loss, developmental delays, learning challenges and social/emotional issues. Present in one out of every 2,000 to 4,000 births, 22q is almost as common as Down's Syndrome and there are many people that are not diagnosed until much later in life.
How Can We Help?
Outside of medical needs our kids are like other children and they need the same education and opportunities. FACE 22 was created as a support network for parents/caregivers that work with these children on a daily basis. We want to provide not only a network of resources but information from parents that have been there while giving our children a social outlet so they can spend time with other children that are like them. Our kids are like other children and they need the same education and opportunities. FACE 22 was created as a support network for parents/caregivers that work with these children on a daily basis. We want to provide not only a network of resources but information from parents that have been there while giving our children a social outlet so they can spend time with other children that are like them.
Meetings
Our support network meets the third Friday of each month at Panera Bread in Cranberry Township, PA. Panera is located in the Cranberry Mall's lower level at the corner of Route 19 and Freedom Road.
Anyone is welcome to attend the meetings, which begin at 6 p.m.
We will address questions and offer periodic speakers of interest for genetic issues.