The Founders

Director of Education

Neil Smith

Neil was born in 1969 in the UK, he was not diagnosed until the age of 23 after years of being told he was a “late bloomer” and told to “wait and see”. he sought treatment from general practice doctors, a general medicine consultant, and a urologist; none of whom correctly diagnosed him.

Neil attended Bradford University in the UK where he studied Biomedical Sciences specializing in hematology and endocrinology. It wasn’t until after university that he was correctly diagnosed. Soon after university, he started work as a biomedical scientist working in blood transfusion labs within hospitals. It was during his first job working at the Royal Free Hospital in London that he met one of the endocrinologists working there. He did not have an appointment; he simply just went to his office one lunchtime.

After explaining his condition to the doctor, the first question he (the doctor) asked was if Neil had a sense of smell. This is the first time he could ever remember any doctor asking him that question. That quickly led to his diagnosis and initial treatment. That doctor was Dr. Richard Quinton who is now a leading Kallmann syndrome specialist in the UK with whom Neil is still in regular contact. 

Soon after diagnosis, Neil met his first fellow patient in London. He set up the first Kallmann syndrome patient group, HYPOHH. After a while, Neil developed a passion for patient advocacy and now tries to raise awareness of the condition among both fellow patients and healthcare professionals. Over the years Neil has talked to and met many fellow patients, both online and in person.

“I think the interaction I have with other patients has helped my own journey with the condition.” – Neil Smith

Neil still works as a biomedical scientist in blood transfusion, but in his spare time is also a cricket scorer which he does almost full-time during the summer months. Outside work Neil likes to travel, and learn history, and seems to have developed a fondness for penguins after having worked in the Falkland Islands in the South Atlantic on a couple of occasions. 

My story was published in the British Medical Journal in 2012.
https://www.bmj.com/content/345/bmj.e6971

Laura Ramsey

President

Gary Beavers

Gary is a Texas native, born and raised, and is a Kallmann Syndrome (K.S.) patient as well. 

He grew up in the Dallas/Ft Worth area, where he graduated from the University of Texas at Arlington with a BA in Music. 

Gary, like so many other patients, was miss diagnosed and ill-informed of his condition. Originally diagnosed with Hypogonadotropic Hypogonadism (H.H.) at the age of 10, the doctors were hopeful that his condition could be reversed. However, due to the lack of knowledge and information made available to the doctors at that time, he was misinformed on the severity of his condition. 

After high school, his treatment was more of a dramatic trial and error with the various types of medications. This caused several, sometimes severe, issues physically, mentally, and emotionally. 

It wasn’t until a friend recommended him to see a naturalistic doctor or a D.O. that he was able to make a lifestyle change.  Those lifestyle changes, diet, body realignment, and recommendations from his D.O. eventually lead to Gary finding out about Kallmann Syndrome at the age of 34 during the COVID-19 lockdown in 2020.  

During lockdown in 2020, Gary was able put the pieces together using his medical history, newly obtained information, and research everything that would lead him to several H.H. and K.S. Facebook groups and Massachusetts General Hospital’s Reproductive Endocrinology Unit. 

Gary helped create I am H.H. so future and current patients can have the most up-to-date information as well as the support needed while navigating this rare condition. 

“No one person should ever be left in the dark or navigate such a rare and life-altering syndrome alone. This condition already alienates take so much away from a person, there is no reason to feel isolated the rest of their life” – Gary Beavers

When he is not working or focusing on I am H.H., Gary enjoys spending time with his two dogs; spending time outdoors; playing his guitar and other various instruments; Collecting vinyl records and comic books; traveling, and supporting his community with his Masonic Lodge. 

Secretary

Miriam Gaudin

Miriam Gaudin is a Louisianan native born in the small town of St. Martinville in 1978. This town, as well as Miriam’s lineage, can be traced back to over 400 years ago with the Acadians being exiled from Nova Scotia. Her own family even has a rich history within the town itself. Her great-grandfather owned the town’s first printing press, calling it “Attackapa Printing.”

Miriam has never shied away from a challenge and strives to persevere above all else. Her academic resume alone includes:

• Associate degree in Business Management from Remington College in Lafayette
• Bachelor’s Degree in Child and Family Studies and a minor in Psychology from the University of Louisiana at Lafayette. 
• Master’s Degree in Nonprofit Administration from Louisiana State University at

Shreveport.

Miriam is no rookie to the Nonprofit Sector. With over 20 years of experience of managing and volunteering, there is no doubt she has a servant’s heart and find that most rewarding. She is often asked how she finds the time to volunteer, take care of her father (a stroke survivor and Alzheimer’s patient), and tend to her own health needs and issues… lots of prayers and coffee… LOTS of coffee!

Her own journey with Kallmann Syndrome can be described as nothing short of an uphill struggle and battle…

Originally, she was mis-diagnosed with Primary Amenorrhea before being correctly diagnosed with Kallmann Syndrome at the age of twenty-five (Her OBGYN figured out that it was Kallmann Syndrome by simply asking if she could smell or not). At the time of her diagnosis however, very little was known about Kallmanns by the doctors, and this lack of knowledge led to Miriam becoming a human “Guinea Pig” of sorts. An issue that has become a common occurrence amongst Kallmann patients due to the rarity of this disease. 

It wasn’t until ten years later (age 35) that Miriam discovered the Kallmann Syndrome Facebook Groups. These group allowed for a community of knowledge and support amongst patients like Miriam. She instantly became involved in the communities, and her journey to find the answers to her questions began. 

These Facebook groups would hold yearly patient group meetings throughout the United States, and it wasn’t until Miriam attended her first meeting that she was able to immerse herself with others like herself. 

Getting involved in the Kallmanns Syndrome/ C.H.H.  community is what drove Miriam’s passion and desire to help other patients as well as herself. 

When Miriam is not in school or contributing to I am H.H. she enjoys solo traveling, camping, and engulfing herself in her rich Cajun culture as often as she can. Miriam is also a published author of the book “Annie’s Story, A Life Without Smell.” She is an avid fan of crime drama TV shows and her favorite band Citizen Soldier. 

“We never know how many lives we have touched through being kind, compassionate, lending a hand, lending an ear, and lending a shoulder to cry on. If I am committed to

anything such as I am H.H. or volunteering at any nonprofit, I’m all in and a force to be reckoned with.”

• Miriam Gaudin