Mandalyn Grace
This is a personal story shared by a family whose child has Galactosemia (GALT). 

My daughter, Mandalyn Grace, was born on May 31, 2000. My husband and I were so ecstatic about our second beautiful and healthy daughter being born. She appeared   and acted normal. However, three weeks after birth, we received a crushing phone call from our pediatrician stating that our beautiful little girl could have galactosemia. We had never heard of this disorder and were even more crushed when we started researching this disorder on the internet. We took our daughter to our local hospital for an additional blood draw to be sent out to California. We received confirmation within 3 weeks that our daughter does have galactosemia - but fortunately she has a variant form of galactosemia and not the "classic" form, which can have severe developmental problems. She was re-tested at 6 months with a milk-challenge to test to see if her body could tolerate milk. Fortunately for us, she passed and the only course of treatment for her at this time is a diet with the minimum amount of milk required per day - no excess lactose intake.  

My husband and I feel very blessed, lucky, fortunate, etc. that our state (Indiana) tests for this disorder as part of the newborn screening. If she had not been tested, I would have nursed her the first year like I did with our older child and that could have been detrimental to her health. Even though it was crushing for me not to nurse her I knew the consequences could have been severe if I did.  

I thank GOD every day for my beautiful children and the newborn screening that our state provides.  

By adding Galactosemia to the list of genetic disorders that states test for, it can and will make a difference in someone's life. 

Please see picture of my "Mandy" - she is absolutely beautiful. 

Sincerely, 

Jennifer Gerlach, 
Written March 2002 by Jennifer Gerlach
Parent of:
Mandalyn Grace (GALT) Age: 2 ½

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