Oct
2
Owen Lee’s 5th annual poker walk to benefit Chromosome 18 Research
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Owen Lee’s 5th annual poker walk to benefit Chromosome 18 Research is being held October 3rd, 2009 starting at 1:00 at the Hulbert House. The cost to enter this event is $5.00 per hand. Prizes will be given to the top three poker hands. All proceeds will benefit Chromosome 18 Registry and Research Society. There will also be raffle tickets available for numerous baskets and also a Kayak.
Who is Owen Lee? Owen is a happy 5 year old boy from Boonville New York, who is living with Chromosome 18. Owen lives with his mom and dad, Jill and Rodney, and his older brother Tucker. Owen loves playing with trucks, reading books and being outside, he especially enjoys swimming. Owen is looking forward to the birth of his new little brother next month too.
Now you ask what is Chromosome 18? Chromosome 18 also known as, Tetrasomy 18p is a relatively rare condition. Less than 100 cases of Tetrasomy have been documented. The term “Tetrasomy 18p” means that there is an extra chromosome in a person’s cells. This extra chromosome is made up of two additional copies of the short arm of chromosome 18. Therefore, there are a total of four copies of the short arm (the p arm) of chromosome 18. This is why the condition is called Tetrasomy 18p. The prefix “tetra” simply means “four”.
Infants, toddlers and young children with Tetrasomy 18p may develop more slowly than those without Tetrasomy 18p. For example, it may take a little longer for them to roll over, sit, crawl, and walk. It may also take longer for them to reach for and grab toys, hold a bottle, and to feed themselves. Language skills may also develop later than their peers. On average, babies with Tetrasomy 18p roll over at about seven months, and walk and say their first words at about 2½ years.
People with Tetrasomy 18p typically have some degree of mental impairment, though the degree of impairment varies among individuals. Based on standardized testing, people with Tetrasomy 18p typically have IQ scores in the moderate range of impairment.
For more information on Tetrasomy 18p, please visit: www.chromosome18.org
Owen and Family would like to thank the sponsors of their annual walk:
- Lee Pontiac, Buick, GMC
- Mountain Man Outdoor Supply Co.
- Boonvilleforum.com
- North Country Toe Path Trekkers
Just an update. We had a great time at the poker walk and I actually won the kayak! After winning the chili cookoff at the festival, and then the boat, I tried a quick draw at the hulbert house to see if I could make it 3, but to no avail!