Mary and Brad Kish are from Bartlett, Illinois. The couple gave birth to their oldest daughter, Sarah, and shortly after, she became pregnant with Michelle. Mary's pregnancy with Michelle was normal as was her delivery. Right after giving birth, the couple felt like that had it all. Shortly after Michelle was born, the doctor told the Kishs that there was something wrong with their daughter. As if this weren't bad enough, the doctors couldn't tell them what was wrong with her. The hospital had to bring in a specialist from another medical facility to try to figure out what was wrong with Michelle. The geneticist that was brought in had never seen anyone with Michelle's condition in real life before. She recognized the symptoms from her medical journals, but she had never seen it first hand.
The geneticist told the Kishes that their daughter was suffering from a genetic disorder called Hallermann-Streiff Syndrome. They were told that it affects one in every five million people. What makes it even more strange is that it only appears every fifth generation. Mary admits that she was devastated when she heard the diagnosis. The doctor told the Kishs that when Michelle was born, there were only 250 other people on the planet with the same condition. It causes strange facial features including a frontal bossing of the forehead, a small beak-like nose, a recessed chin, and a small airway. This condition can also cause ear canal constriction, eye problems, dental problems, skin atrophy, hair loss, and dwarfism. The condition has 28 defining characteristics, and Michelle has 26 of them.
While the doctors knew the name of Michelle's condition and the symptoms associated with it, they couldn't tell the Kish's much more. They didn't know what the prognosis was because they had never seen it before.
When the Kishs brought their daughter home from the hospital, they didn't know what to expect. Michelle's older sister, Sarah, says that she remembers her sister being sick often when they were younger. Michelle says that she remembers the hospital being like a second home. Regardless of her condition, Michelle was a happy child. She grew up to be a very happy young woman. According to her mother, she is one of the happiest 20-year old that she had ever met. She says that she is smart as a whip and she and her husband couldn't be prouder of their youngest daughter.
Michelle's features haven't changed over the years, and many people mistake her for a child. Michelle says that being mistaken for a child isn't what bothers her the most about her condition. She says that when she goes to the amusement park with her friends or family, she isn't able to go on the rides due to the height restrictions. She also hated that her breathing equipment made it impossible for her to breathe underwater. She says that she always dreamed of diving like a mermaid, but due to her condition, it wasn't possible.
Mary says that what she thinks Michelle struggles with the most, but won't admit, is that she's lonely. She says that kids are nice to Michelle, but she never developed close friendships as her older sister had with kids her own age. Michelle admits that she would love to have a boyfriend one day. She says that she wants a boyfriend with long hair.
Mary says that her daughter's biggest strength is her huge heart. She ways that her daughter always cares a lot about what others are feeling. When Michelle sees a stranger who looks sad, she always wants to help. Michelle agrees with her mother and says that her dream job is a pediatric doctor in an emergency room. If this career doesn't work, she says she would also love to get a job in fashion design or acting.
Since the doctors can't really give Michelle a prognosis, her future is up in the air. Her father, Brad, says that Michelle is tough as nails and with her positive attitude, the sky's the limit. Michelle says that she knows that she is different than the average 20-year-old, but she is okay with it.
More than 20 years after she was born, this woman is still mistaken for a child, but she doesn't care. Michelle is more positive than most people who don't have a medical condition. She says that she is happy with who she is and wouldn't change her situation for the world. Michelle's positivity is an inspiration to everyone who knows her. She is an amazing young woman.
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