Suzanne Heijnen has Prader-Willi syndrome. The genetic disorder's most prominent symptom is an insatiable appetite -- you never feel full. Photographer Peggy Ickenroth spent two weeks with Suzanne and her family, hoping to learn more about the disease and how it affects people.
Suzanne Heijnen has Prader-Willi syndrome. The genetic disorder's most prominent symptom is an insatiable appetite -- you never feel full. Photographer Peggy Ickenroth spent two weeks with Suzanne and her family, hoping to learn more about the disease and how it affects people.
Peggy Ickenroth/Visura
Other symptoms of Prader-Willi include low muscle tone, developmental delays and difficulty controlling emotions. Suzanne's spine is in such a bad condition that it's crushing her lungs, Ickenroth said. She needs to wear this brace all the time.
Other symptoms of Prader-Willi include low muscle tone, developmental delays and difficulty controlling emotions. Suzanne's spine is in such a bad condition that it's crushing her lungs, Ickenroth said. She needs to wear this brace all the time.
Peggy Ickenroth/Visura
Suzanne's mother checks her teeth.
Suzanne's mother checks her teeth.
Peggy Ickenroth/Visura
Suzanne looks in the fridge for a healthy snack that she's allowed to have in the afternoon. She has been on a limited diet since age 2.
Suzanne looks in the fridge for a healthy snack that she's allowed to have in the afternoon. She has been on a limited diet since age 2.
Peggy Ickenroth/Visura
Suzanne's parents serve her food on a special plate to make it look fuller.
Suzanne's parents serve her food on a special plate to make it look fuller.
Peggy Ickenroth/Visura
Suzanne takes judo to build strength and keep her weight under control.
Suzanne takes judo to build strength and keep her weight under control.
Peggy Ickenroth/Visura
Suzanne and her mother ride a specialized bike together.
Suzanne and her mother ride a specialized bike together.
Peggy Ickenroth/Visura
Suzanne plays with dolls at the family's home in the Netherlands.
Suzanne plays with dolls at the family's home in the Netherlands.
Peggy Ickenroth/Visura
Suzanne's mother helps her take a shower.
Suzanne's mother helps her take a shower.
Peggy Ickenroth/Visura
Suzanne's dad makes her breakfast before going to work. Suzanne only allows somebody else to prepare it for her in very rare circumstances, Ickenroth said.
Suzanne's dad makes her breakfast before going to work. Suzanne only allows somebody else to prepare it for her in very rare circumstances, Ickenroth said.
Peggy Ickenroth/Visura
"During the days that I've followed Suzanne, I saw many sides of her: happy Suzanne, sad Suzanne, excited Suzanne etc.," Ickenroth said. "I feel like in this moment I've seen the young woman that is inside of her."
"During the days that I've followed Suzanne, I saw many sides of her: happy Suzanne, sad Suzanne, excited Suzanne etc.," Ickenroth said. "I feel like in this moment I've seen the young woman that is inside of her."
Peggy Ickenroth/Visura