BOARD MEMBERS
“The stigmas of the past will not take away the voices of the future.” My parents found out in 1985 via amnio that I was going to be born with Klinefelter syndrome (non-mosaic 47 XXY). I was told at 9 years old. The first time I googled Klinefelter syndrome was in June of 2017, a few months later I started the “Living with XXY” Youtube channel. In November of 2019 we became an official NonProfit. I currently live in San Diego, CA. Before Living With XXY, I was a Chef for 10 years, graduating from the CIA in 2007. I have had multiple careers since, including a freelance action sports photographer. I love spending time with my family, snowboarding, camping, and hiking.
I’m a native of San Diego County. I have enjoyed being a teacher for over 30 years. I have been a preschool special education teacher for the past nine years, emphasizing early intervention and supporting young children with different needs. I have written many Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) to assist my students in academic skills. In the early 1960s, my parents adopted me at two days old, who were indeed my “real” parents. I had a niece who chose adoption for her baby, and I have two cousins who have adopted daughters from China. It has been one of my biggest blessings, and I genuinely believe in and support adoption. I have been married 35 years to my husband, and we have two adult children who have grown and flown. I enjoy being with friends and family, reading, listening to music, and walking in my spare time.
Hello, I am Jennifer, a proud mom of two teenagers, Toby and Max. After nearly eight years of misdiagnosis, we learned Toby had 47 XXY. Toby is your typical boy, learning to be comfortable while navigating high school. I worked in public service for almost 30 years. I love to plan and organize family adventures with my husband, Tim—our family loves hiking, backpacking, camping, skiing, biking, and paddling. I am honored to advocate for the XXY community. It’s as easy as talking about it in everyday conversations. Changing the dialogue about XXY is essential to reinforce the strengths, correct the misinformation and find opportunities to help support some challenges the community may face, just as any other person may experience.
MEDICAL ADVISOR
I am proud to be the medical advisor for Living with XXY and to partner with this wonderful non-profit organization. With expertise as a pediatric endocrinologist and clinical-translational researcher, I have dedicated my career to bettering clinical care and outcomes for individuals with X&Y chromosome variations, predominately XXY. In the eXtraordinarY Kids Clinic at the Children’s Hospital Colorado, I have provided clinical care to hundreds of boys and young men with XXY alongside our amazing interdisciplinary team. I have also led NIH-funded studies focused on XXY. I am motivated to answer questions that are important to my patients and their families through pragmatic research as well as mentoring the next generation of clinicians and scientists that will be able to extend these efforts beyond my reach. My purpose is that my work will have broad-reaching effects, and ultimately make a difference in the lives of individuals with XXY that I may never meet.
ADVOCATES
Living with XXY uses advocates to support our community, share the mission, and continue to move the organization forward. The opinions/advice of advocates does not necessarily match the position of Living With XXY.
Hola, soy Ricardo y vivo en Monterrey, México con mi maravillosa esposa. Me diagnosticaron XXY a los 32 años. Soy Especialista en Workforce Management. Cuando no trabajo disfruto del cine y también analizar deportes, todos aunque más el béisbol y basquetbol.
Conozco los retos que enfrenta un hombre con XXY, y estoy consciente de la dificultad que representa en Latinoamérica. Es por eso que quiero lograr un cambio positivo y estoy convencido que juntos vamos a hacerlo realidad.
Hello, I’m Ricardo and live in Monterrey, Mexico with my wonderful wife. I was diagnosed at 32 with XXY. I am a Workforce Management Specialist. When not working I enjoy watching movies and sports analysis, all of them, but mostly baseball and basketball. I know about the challenges that a man with XXY faces, and I’m aware of the struggles that this represents in Latin America. This is why I want to make a positive change and I’m convinced that together we are going to make it a reality.
I’m Allison and my son, Theodore, was diagnosed via NIPT with Klinefelters. After his diagnosis was confirmed at birth, we spent a year blindly navigating appointments. I felt overwhelmed and when Theo was 18 months old I braved Google (again) and this time, I found Living with XXY!
Reading through the stories of others changed our lives and encouraged us to reach out and share Theodore’s story to help other parents navigating NIPT results and early intervention. It’s information I wish that I’d had as a first-time mom and it’s our goal help ease some of that stress and uncertainty new parents may be feeling.
Everyday I consider myself lucky to be Theodore’s mom and a part of this amazing community. I am grateful for all of the work Living with XXY is doing to educate others and create a positive, welcoming environment for all!
Hello, I am Tyler, and I’m from California. I have 47 chromosomes! I am a musician, but not by trade. Usually, you can find me on a unique adventure somewhere in the world. I’ve been to 30 different countries and counting. One of my many hobbies is fermentation. I ferment things like sauerkraut, garlic honey, kombucha, and mead. I enjoy being outdoors on a hike or jumping off a waterfall. Most of my time currently in 2023 goes to house projects and caring for my newborn with my lovely wife. I have a daughter, and we used donor sperm. I love learning new things and always strive to be better tomorrow than I was.
Hello everyone, my name is Gareth Landy, and I live in Ireland. I was diagnosed as XXY when I was 37 years old when trying to start a family with my wife, Anna. We now have the most amazing donor-conceived twins who take up pretty much all of our time and focus :) My background is in video production and photography, and until recently, I ran a very successful wedding film business. I like to take on significant challenges, so I cycled the length of Ireland to raise money for children with cancer and have run the Dublin Marathon three times. These days I love to take images of my children with my trusty prime lens, give tips to tourists on things to see in Ireland, and lastly, do some running.
Getting diagnosed with Klinefelter Syndrome as an adult changed my life and answered many personal questions for me. As a foster/adoptive father and special education teacher, I understand the importance of being able to navigate systems that are often confusing and overwhelming. Advocating for parents and kids, especially those with XXY extends my daily routine. I love gardening, cooking, baking, and exploring many other skills, my ADHD finds useful. My wife and I have been married for 15 years. Our family motto is “Work hard, play harder.”
Hi, my name is Toby, and I am a 14-year-old (2023) high school freshman. I was diagnosed with XXY a year ago. I work hard at school and enjoy physics, math, and woodworking. I like data and hands-on activities and figuring out things. I like crystals, being outside, playing ultimate frisbee in the summer, and playing with friends. I also enjoy playing video games, like Roblox and Minecraft. I am trying out for the school track team this spring, a new sport. I want to help others like me because we can do anything we put our minds to.
Hello, I am Anthony, 21 years old (2023). I was diagnosed with XXY during high school and was born and raised in Staten Island, NY. I work as a set dresser in the film industry. I love playing video games and operating my discord server in my spare time. Some of the games I play are Fortnite, Escape From Tarkov, League of Legends, COD, and Sea Of Thieves
Hi, It’s me, Taylor; I am from Denver, CO, though I live with a roommate in Nashville, TN. I am 26 years old (2023) and was diagnosed with XXY in utero. I started my own business as a chauffeur when I moved in 2019. The best part about my job is I work when I want, and I love meeting people from all over the world. I also work as a Nashville ambassador. I enjoy hiking to waterfalls on my days off and listening to live music.
G’day, I’m Geoff and I live in Victoria, Australia. My wife and I have been married for 12 years and we have a kind hearted 9yo Border Collie named Kargi – which means Brother in Aboriginal. I’m a chef by trade and last year started my own business: Krucky’s Fine Foods. I love to create delicious chutneys and jams, as well as Granola and a range of gourmet crackers. I also run a successful Sourdough Bread business from home and am expanding into an 100yo wood fired bakery over the next few months. Part of my dream for the business is to be able to mentor and train others in my craft.
Nature is my therapy, when I am feeling stressed with work or life in general, you can find me in the mountains. My favorite naturalist is John Muir. One of his quotes is on a bumper sticker on my car, “The Mountains Are Calling, I Must Go.” Another Quote “Keep Close to Nature’s Heart…and break clear away, once in a while, and climb a mountain or spend a week in the woods. Wash your spirit clean.”
I am a published iphoneographer. I have been published and interviewed for my landscape photography using my iPhone.
I am a published iphoneographer. I have been published and interviewed for my landscape photography using my iPhone.