This Saturday, November 15, the Reuben H. Fleet Science Center is excited to welcome Noah and Alexis Beery to join us at our current traveling exhibition, Genome: Unlocking Life’s Code.

Diagnosed early in life with cerebral palsy, the twin’s condition seemed to get worse as they got older and seemed to resemble cerebral palsy less and less every year. They had seizures and were in constant pain. Doctors were unsure if they were going to be able to live normal lives.

In 2009, the technology for genome sequencing became available for the twins. The results of the sequencing led scientist to a more definitive diagnosis of Segawa’s disease, a rare but treatable disease caused by a mutation in the genome. Since beginning treatment, both twins have made a full recovery.

Come hear their miraculous story with us. The twins will be available to answer your questions and speak with visitors one-on-one in the Genome exhibition.

The event begins at 10:30 a.m., with Noah and Alexis in the Genome exhibition, talking to visitors and answering questions about their own personal story. Educational facilitators will also be on-hand, leading fun science activities for kids and young adults, such as extracting DNA from strawberries and testing the hereditary ability to taste bitterness.

At 1:30 p.m., Noah and Alexis will give a talk about their experiences, followed by a Q&A session.

The event is free with Fleet admission.

Noah and Alexis can both be available by appointment for media interviews in advance of the event. They are 18 years old and San Diego residents, and they are excited to share their story in the hope that it might help others. Their story has captured national attention in the past and has been seen as a triumph in genome sequencing technology.

To schedule an interview or media appearance, please contact Reuben H. Fleet Science Center Public Relations Manager Nathan Young at 619-685-5743 or nyoung@rhfleet.org.

WHEN:           

Saturday, November 15, from 10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.

WHERE:        

Reuben H. Fleet Science Center
1875 El Prado in Balboa Park
www.rhfleet.org

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MORE INFO:

Link to the event on the Reuben H. Fleet Science Center website:

http://www.rhfleet.org/events/noah-and-alexis-beery

Three-minute background video of Noah and Alexis’s story:

http://unlockinglifescode.org/media/videos/730#731