Join us Thursday, October 17 all day! 10% of our proceeds from this day will go directly to the International Rett Syndrome Foundation
Rett syndrome is a rare and devastating neurodevelopmental disorder that impacts nearly every aspect of an individual’s life, including their ability to speak, walk, eat, and even breathe. It is a genetic disorder caused by a random mutation on a gene called MECP2 located on the X chromosome. This gene is important for brain development and for activating and deactivating other gene functions. When the MECP2 gene does not function properly, it can cause issues throughout the entire body.
Every individual with Rett is unique and so are their symptoms. These can include near-constant repetitive hand movements, seizures, scoliosis, digestive problems, and breathing issues. Symptoms can begin as early as 6 months old when parents begin to see their child miss development milestones and lose abilities they had already gained. Though Rett occurs most often in females – 1 in 10,000 births – boys can have Rett too.
