Nancy Kessler, MA

Nancy Kessler has spent 35 years working in the public schools as an elementary school teacher and case manager of special education students ages 3-21 in New Jersey. She has an Educational Specialist Degree, Ed.S. in School and Community Psychology and most recently received a certificate in Applied Behavior Analysis. Nancy retired after 35 years in education in 2017.Nancy is co-guardian of Caren (Syngapian), soon to be 65. Nancy and her husband have one daughter, Lauren. She has been greatly influenced by Caren's diagnoses. Nancy's family resides in Central-North NJ. They enjoy spending time together, playing tennis and especially time at their summer home in LBI.

Nancy says "My sister was diagnosed with Syngap1 in June 2020 after surviving Covid-19. She will be turning 65 in May 2021. Since her diagnosis, the outpouring of support has been overwhelming and amazing from the SRF community. At the time of her diagnosis, I immersed myself on the internet and researched everything possible that I could find. SRF reached out to me through messenger. They supported a film, Celebrating Caren along with Illumina which told our family story and journey to diagnosis. If my sister's story will help the life of one other, then her survival and journey will have made a difference."

Read this article about Nancy and her family's journey with genetic testing in the Sandpiper.

Nancy is quoted in the Global Genes Rare Toolkit on What's Next after Genetic Testing.