Client: Shay D. Gray

Age: 14

Shay feels lonely since she started at Brook Valley High. Her new classmates think that she’s odd. People see her as weird because of what Sharon noticed about her. Sharon made a big deal about features she has had since she was a little kid.

It’s true she does have some unusual features for a teen. Her eyes are not the same color; her left eye is blue and her right eye is brown. They are spaced a little to far apart from each other. Also she has a large gray streak in her hair from the middle of her forehead to the back of her head. Her eyelashes are also white.

Most of the kids at her old school thought her hair looked cool. So she did not have any problems with her classmates. At Brook Valley High, however, some people like Sharon call her ‘old lady gray’.

Her mom is a little hurt by Shay’s desire to change her hair color. Her mother has had a gray streak in her hair since she was seven years old. Mrs. Gray views her gray hair, mixed eye colors and white eyelashes as just Shay’s uniqueness as a person. Shay is proud of her unique features but, Shay wants her classmates to like her.

Mrs. Gray wants Shay to attend a genetic counseling session. She hopes that the counselors can help Shay see that her features are a natural family thing.

• Explain to Shay why she looks as she does according to her genetic profile.
• What chromosomes are responsible for her features?
• Should Shay color her hair and eyebrows to blend in with everyone else at Brook Valley High?