The Turner Town Project
INTRODUCTION
Welcome to Turner Town
This virtual museum showcases the Turner Town Project©, an innovative Awareness Campaign for Turner Syndrome and Nonverbal Learning Disabilities. This vibrant initiative follows the everyday life of Joy, a girl who is afflicted by TS and NLD, two little-known genetic/neurological disorders. Although Joy is a fictional character, her experiences mirror those of actual girls and women who are dealing with TS/NLD. The exhibit illustrates how the town heroine Joy copes with realistic health and academic issues. Each story reflects symptoms and characteristics of Turner Syndrome or Nonverbal Learning Disabilities along with possible solutions or suggestions. This unique Project consists of a large collection of detailed vintage dollhouses. These miniature buildings and scenes have been recycled, refurbished and customized to highlight specific storylines. Turner Town and Joy’s scenarios were developed to educate and entertain the general public, both young and old alike. It is meant for individuals and their families who are dealing with TS and/or NLD as well as relatives, friends and acquaintances who are not. Joy’s story is more than recollections of adventures (and misadventures) of her life. These are chapters filled with love, support, optimism, courage and determination while overcoming a number of challenges. The authenticity of the information presented in the Turner Town Project is key to fostering accurate knowledge and potential advocacy among the Town visitors. Everyone is invited to become a Town Ambassador and bring the message of Joy to the World!
This website is currently under construction, a virtual showcase of Turner Town and its stories are being added. Be sure to come back and check it out at a later date.
Gallery 1 - Early Childhood
It’s a Girl!
New baby looks okay, but something was wrong
“Once Upon a Time”
Grandma caught skipping part of bedtime story
Bicycle Blues
Riding two-wheel bike is troublesome
Just Horsing Around
Joy is only Girl Scout to get a pony
The New Goal(ie)
Joy tries out for new sport
Fun on the Fourth
Loud fireworks frighten Joy
Gallery 3 - Family and Friends
Autumn Adventures
Can Joy conquer the corn maze this time?
A Birthday Surprise
Homemade wardrobe is a gift that fits
Counting Blessings
Family appreciates Joy’s kindness & help
The Littlest Tree Topper
Joy finally places the angel on top
Look Out Below!
Joy unintentionally runs into “Frosty”
“Champion” on Ice
Practice to feel like a champ
Gallery 5 - Discovering the Truth
Turning Point
Unexpected shocking diagnosis of rare condition
Finding Forever Friends
Camp companions are understanding & loyal
Testing, Testing
Series of tests confirm NLD
Celebrating Differences
School Diversity Day honors everyone
Dream Job
Just the right size for a jockey – alleluia!
This One’s for You
Tribute Woods salute the Town sponsors
Gallery 2 - Special Events
Boo Hoo!
No Halloween costume fits Joy
Clowns in Town
Can Joy finish science project to see circus?
The Play’s the Thing
Joy finds out about a speech impairment
Star Dancer
Will Joy arrive on time for rehearsal?
Girl Power
“Girls Only” club builds self-confidence
Farm Fresh Favorites
Eating better foods = better health
Gallery 4 - Growing Up
School Daze
Homeschooled friend helps rescue homework
Climbing to New Heights
Feeling small but tall in the treetops
A Special Visit
Talking fun with seniors and babies
A Tailor-Made Boutique
Appropriate clothes for a change
Goodies to Go
Kitchen Math can be mysterious
The Big House
It’s hard to make a bittersweet move
Directory of Dollhouses/Scenes
Story Title and Gallery #
TS/NLD Topics & Symptoms
Birth House – First Scene
It’s a Girl! - Gallery #1
Undiagnosed newborn TS symptoms
Small size, puffy hands & feet ignored
Grandma’s Storybook House
“Once Upon a Time” - Gallery #1
NLD repetition/routine importance
Audio learning, good rote memory
Special “attention” to details
Spring House
Bicycle Blues – Gallery #1
Subtle NLD symptoms, often overlooked
Motor skills problems, poor balance
“Happy Stables” – Horse Ranch
Just Horsing Around – Gallery #1
Noticeable short stature,
Beginning to drop on “growth chart”
Joy is treated differently than peers
“Petite Street Park” Soccer Field
The New Goal(ie) – Gallery #1
NLD problems with coordination
Not adept at team sports/game strategy
“Short Waves Resort” Beach House
Fun on the Fourth – Gallery #1
NLD hyper-sensitivity with fireworks
Simultaneous multi-sensory “overload”
Halloween House
Boo Hoo! – Gallery #2
TS shortness continues
NLD social relations difficulties
Feels different around peer group
Outdoor Circus
Clowns in Town – Gallery 2
NLD causes slower thinking speed
Longer time needed for assignments
Little Star Theatre
The Play’s the Thing – Gallery #2
TS physical issues – hearing problems
High-arched palate, receding lower jaw
Speech pattern errors/mispronunciation
Dance Academy Studio
Star Dancer – Gallery #2
TS shortness is more evident
Time misperception/mismanagement
“Butterfly Sister Society” – A Girl’s Club
Girl Power - Gallery #2
TS: “girls’ only” issue (like clubhouse)
Butterfly is often symbol for TS agencies
NLD social skills difficulty with sarcasm
Misunderstanding facial/body language
Importance of positive environment
Farm and Produce Stand
Farm Fresh Favorites – Gallery #2
TS: risk of specific diseases (diabetes, celiac)
Proper food more critical for better health
Cider Mill, Apple Orchard & Snack Shack,
Pumpkin Patch and Corn Maze
Autumn Adventures – Gallery #3
NLD – problem with map-reading
Poor sense of directions & distance
TS: Apple Museum - better nutrition w/fruit
Aunt’s House
A Birthday Surprise – Gallery #3
TS girls are shorter and look younger
Hard to find age-appropriate clothes
Thanksgiving Day House
Counting Blessings – Gallery #3
NLD assets: good rote memory & details
Large vocabulary & better audio learner
Grandparents’ Christmas House
The Littlest Tree Topper – Gallery #3
TS – frequent childhood ear infections
Focus on Joy’s lack of proper growth
“Tiny Trails” Toboggan Run/Sled Hill
Look Out Below! – Gallery #3
NLD – causes faulty spatial perceptions
Hard judging correct space & distances
Skating Pond
“Champion” on Ice – Gallery #3
TS: better success w/individual sports
NLD: stronger work ethic w/bigger
Sense of perseverance & determination
Homeschool House
School Daze – Gallery #4
NLD causes specific academic difficulties
Multi-tasking, complex math problems
Slower assignment & test completion
Poor fine motor skills & handwriting
Hard to copy off bulletin & blackboards
Better with oral examinations
Treehouse Playground
Climbing to New Heights – Gallery #4
TS/NLD – Safe empowering space
Fresh perspective, self-esteem builder
Climb high both physically & mentally
Victorian Heart Manor
A Special Visit – Gallery #4
NLD: may feel awkward among peer groups
More comfortable with older/younger ages
“Sweet Petite Boutique”
A Tailor-Made Boutique – Gallery #4
TS: Shortness is lifetime condition
Clothing is proportionate for better fit
Right style more age-appropriate
Tasteful outfit helps self-confidence
Home Bakery Tudor House
Goodies to Go - Gallery #4
TS: Focus use of math throughout day
Tricky kitchen math changes (1/2, 2x, etc.) in recipes
Fractions/numeral operations difficult in new situations
New Colonial Family Home
The Big House – Gallery #4
TS: younger siblings soon surpass height of older TS girl earlier than expected
NLD: Preference for sameness, stability
Like familiar things/settings/routines
Mini-Mall & Medical Office
Turning Point – Gallery #5
TS: ½ of girls diagnosed when tween/teen
Learn about needed health tests
Appropriate medical treatment started
“Camp-Care-Alot” – TS Health Camp
Finding Forever Friends – Gallery #5
TS: Unique opportunity to share life story
Realization that TS girl is not alone
Gain better socialization skills, self-esteem
Networking with knowledgeable people
Learn about good doctors, programs, therapy
Professor’s Place/Home Office
Testing, Testing – Gallery #5
NLD: Research qualified administrators
Need series of mental & IQ exams
Get report of strengths & weaknesses
Schoolhouse
Celebrating Differences – Gallery #5
Personal education of TS & NLD
Sharing awareness with others
Focus on individual abilities & talents
Recognition of learning “differences”
“Lucky Horseshoe Ranch” - Jockey School
Dream Job – Gallery #5
TS height is “right size” for jockey training
Diagnosis brings new self-understanding
Former uncertainty replaced by optimism
Turner Town Tribute Woods
This One’s for You – Gallery #5
Park rotating with personalized donor stones
Physical recognition of benefactors & venues
Call for new Town ambassadors
Wish to continue spreading TS awareness
Saluting role of volunteers in Project success
Epilogue
New Galleries to Come