Living with Klinefelter Syndrome (47,XXY) Trisomy X (47,XXX) and 47,XYY: A guide for families and individuals affected by X and Y chromosome variations
In the 1980s at age 37, Virginia Isaacs Cover became pregnant with her second son. Amniocentesis revealed a prenatal diagnosis of Klinefelter Syndrome, or 47,XXY. Cover and her husband had the best genetic counseling available at the time as well as to research studies through a local medical library. Many other families, however, have struggled to learn about these disorders, with little information available online, and a complete lack of comprehensive and detailed publications written in lay language. As the parent of a child with Klinefelter Syndrome, and with an advanced degree in social work, Ms. Cover used her experience as a parent, as an advocate, and as a social worker involved with children and adults with developmental disabilities, to explain the psychosocial and medical issues affecting this population. Ms. Cover grew up in Minnesota and earned an M.S.W. from the School of Social Work at the University of Michigan. Throughout her career, she has worked as a health care administrator and social worker, providing services to children and adults with special health care needs, and developing community-based programs for persons with chronic medical conditions including genetic disorders and developmental disabilities. She currently maintains a private practice focused on developing services for young adults with developmental disabilities. Ginnie coordinates support groups for persons with sex chromosome aneuploidy; serves as Director of Education for KS&A; (Knowledge, Support and Action), a national advocacy and education organization; and provides educational presentations on X and Y chromosome variations to a broad range of audiences. She lives on Long Island in New York with her husband and their two Yorkshire Terriers.