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Furthering its mission to increase awareness about growth-related disorders, The MAGIC Foundation, a national non-profit organization dedicated to serving families and individuals affected with growth disorders, has released their first book, "Stories of Strength: The World of Growth Disorders," a collection of stories written by affected people or parents of affected children with medical conditions affecting their growth. "Stories of Strength" explores the power of networking from a supportive community, and also provides a brief overview of children’s growth abnormalities. Parents and family members who have experienced a son, daughter, or grandchild’s growth-related disorder author this anthology of personal stories. They tell of their search for answers, and express their fears, instincts, and concerns—the love and faith put into the fight to grow.
An estimated 2 million children in this country are affected by short stature and many more have a problem that may radically affect the quality of their lives. With "Stories of Strength," MAGIC intends to increase awareness of growth-related disorders and growth awareness programs that help numerous children with unidentified symptoms get early detection and correct diagnoses. If a child is not growing a minimum of 2 ½ inches each year, many things can cause the growth failure. Medical care can effectively treat underlying growth problems, but if treatment is delayed, it is harder for a child to catch up.
“MAGIC’s motto is ‘Children have a short time to grow and a lifetime to live with those results,’” says Mary Andrews, CEO and Co-Founder of MAGIC. “'Stories of Strength' gives voice to those children and their biggest advocates—their parents and families.”
"Stories of Strength" is not just for families with growth-related disorders, but for any parent who was ever concerned for their child; anyone who has felt helpless when confronted with the unknown; or anyone who has found strength from education, encouragement and hope for a better future.
“I have never felt so immature and ill-prepared as I was when faced with what the doctor had to tell me,” said Laura C., of IL, in “Erica’s Story,” regarding her daughter’s diagnosis of Congenital Adrenal Hyperplasia, a disease that prohibits the body’s ability to produce the adrenal enzyme, cortisol.
Contributors to MAGIC’s new publication include several of its founders—parents of children with growth-related disorders—and foundation members from states across the country as well as Australia, England, and Canada.
"Stories of Strength: The World of Growth Disorders" (ISBN 978-09773861-2-3) is available for purchase at MAGIC's website, or by calling 708-383-0808, or email magicbook[.]magicfoundation.org .
About The MAGIC Foundation
The MAGIC Foundation is a national nonprofit organization providing support services to the families of children afflicted with chronic and critical disorders, syndromes, and diseases that affect their growth. The MAGIC Foundation was founded by a small group of mothers with children who had growth disorders. It now has more than 17,000 members worldwide with divisions providing support for ten primary growth disorders, as well as networking for additional disorders. The MAGIC foundation is supported by membership fees, corporate sponsorship, private donations, and fundraising activities, and is committed to reducing the emotional and physical trauma caused by growth disorders so that healthier, happier children will grow up to become healthier, happier adults.
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marianne[.]magicfoundation.org 
