Virginia (Ginnie) Cover
Speaker | Advocate | Author
I grew up in Minnesota, attending the University of Minnesota as an undergraduate, and earning a Master of Social Work from the University of Michigan. I worked throughout my career with children and adults with complex medical conditions and developmental disabilities. I also became a “special needs parent” when my younger son was diagnosed prenatally with 47,XXY, also known as Klinefelter syndrome. So, I became a passionate advocate for families affected by disabilities, including the X and Y chromosome variations, as well as providing educational programs for families and for professionals who work with this population.
In 2012, I published Living with Klinefelter Syndrome, Trisomy X, and 47,XYY, a widely read guidebook to X and Y chromosome variations. This guidebook has helped thousands of people grow their understanding of this condition, but I believe it is equally important for literature to cover the emotional impact that increased prenatal testing has on parents while also improving early identification of X and Y chromosome conditions. This could only be done through the sharing of stories, so I turned to writing fiction.
Developing my skills in coursework at the Writers Center in Bethesda, Maryland, I completed Supplemental Needs during The Novel Year, a twelve-month workshop, that took place early in the Covid pandemic. My goal in writing the novel was to explore the impact of a prenatal genetic diagnosis on a young family who decide to continue a pregnancy despite a medical geneticist’s advice.
As far as I know, there has never been a novel about prenatal diagnosis of sex chromosome aneuploidy (SCA). The only pieces of fiction covering Klinefelter syndrome and 47,XYY have centered on criminal behavior, a stigmatizing myth that leads families to hide SCAs. I have set out to change this.
My husband and I live in the Washington, D.C., metro area with our Yorkshire Terrier, Cooper. We have two adult sons and three grandchildren. In addition to writing, I volunteer through my synagogue for the Interfaith Refugee Support group. I also serve as a board member for L’Arche Long Island, a non-profit agency providing housing for adults with developmental disabilities as well as vocational and life skills training. My interests include family activities, travel, quilting, writing, and electing responsible and representative public officials.
In the 1980's, at age 37, I became pregnant with my second son. Amniocentesis revealed a diagnosis of Klinefelter syndrome, an extra X chromosome in a male. My husband and I had access to excellent genetic counseling, where we learned that Klinefelter syndrome is often associated with learning disabilities, communication and social skill deficits, and infertility. But there was little medical research available at that time, and no support resources for families. I made it my goal to develop a comprehensive guide to sex chromosome aneuploidy written in lay language. This book distills three decades of experience as a parent and as a professional social worker into an authoritative guide for families and individuals affected by extra X and Y chromosome conditions.
Read more or order your copy here.
To obtain a free of charge PDF of the book,
LivingWithKlinefelterSyndromeTrisomyX47XYY.pdf (genetic.org)
Look for updates in 2024.
Book a Reading or Presentation
Ginnie is happy to provide readings and discussion for book clubs and advocacy groups