Melissa Aylstock

Founding Director

Melissa’s son, Greg, was diagnosed as being 47,XXY at 8 years of age.  She wrote a letter to Ann Landers, and the rest is history.  Her letter was published in the nationally syndicated column on April 12, 1989, and within weeks, more than a thousand letters poured in from individuals all over the country who were affected by these conditions and other parents who expressed similar concerns with the lack of timely diagnosis, inaccurate information and poor support services for affected persons. 

Shortly thereafter, Melissa and her husband, Roger, began their efforts to form an organization that would address these needs.  In addition to being one of KS&A’s three incorporators in July 1991, Melissa served as the organization’s Executive Director from inception through 2004, when she resigned in order to pursue a career as a full-time writer.  Her first novel, entitled CTR’s Ring, was published by Ceder Fort Books in February 2005; and her second novel is due to be published in 2006.

Following her resignation, and the selection of Mary Davidson to serve as Executive Director, Melissa was elected to the KS&A Board, where she holds the position of “Founding Director.” She serves as a member of KS&A’s 5-person Executive Committee, and is able to provide a unique perspective given her history with the organization and her involvement over the years with many families and individuals addressing X and/or Y chromosome aneuploidies.

Melissa’s educational background includes an Associate’s degree (AA) from El Camino College in Torrance, California.  She has continued to attend community colleges, taking courses ranging from human anatomy to construction technology.  Additionally, she is a licensed real estate appraiser, with a professional appraisal practice based in Sacramento, CA.  She is the mother of four, including three sons and a daughter; and since 2003 has been an ordinance worker in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints Oakland California Temple.