Becky Quick Opens Up About Her Daughter’s Health Journey After Six Private Years
Becky Quick and her daughter.
Credit :
Becky Quick; Peter Kramer/CNBC
NEED TO KNOW
- Becky Quick discusses her daughter Kaylie’s health journey for the first time
- The CNBC co-anchor reveals Kaylie’s diagnosis of SYNGAP1, a rare genetic disorder
- CNBC is launching its initiative, CNBC Cares, to raise awareness for the 30 million Americans living with rare diseases
After six and a half years of privacy, Becky Quick, the longtime co-anchor of CNBC’s *Squawk Box*, has decided to share her daughter Kaylie’s health journey with the public. For nearly a decade, Quick, 53, kept her daughter’s SYNGAP1 diagnosis private. This rare genetic disorder affects neurodevelopment and currently has no cure, often necessitating constant care.
In an exclusive interview, Quick reflected on the early signs of Kaylie’s challenges, stating, “I would say that it was probably around 8 months when I realized she wasn’t hitting her milestones. Sometimes her eyes would cross. You just kind of know as a mom that there’s something going on.”
Becky Quick’s daughter.
Becky Quick
Following initial concerns, Quick sought advice from her pediatrician, who recommended an evaluation with a developmental doctor. After confirming her daughter was not meeting key developmental milestones, she quickly began therapy. “We started working with therapists immediately,” Quick says. “[They] helped Kaylie with her ability to roll over, with getting fluid motions, with eventually being able to walk and lots of things. But we also noticed some other things that were going on.”
A visit to a neurologist revealed subclinical seizures, prompting a genetic test that confirmed Kaylie’s SYNGAP1 diagnosis. Quick explained, “It was de novo, a genetic disease, which means that basically one letter in her DNA was off at birth, and it didn’t come from either me or my husband. It just happens sometimes at conception.”
Becky Quick and her kids.
Becky Quick
The diagnosis came just before Kaylie turned three, a moment Quick described as “terrifying.” Despite her initial fears and lack of knowledge about SYNGAP1, she expressed gratitude for finally having clarity. “It was scary. I think it’s kind of universal from other parents I’ve talked to, either who have kids with this disease or other diseases. You end up kind of blaming yourself,” she said, questioning if her pregnancy habits contributed to Kaylie’s condition.
Over time, Quick faced the reality of her daughter’s condition, which she acknowledged as “pretty devastating.” She emphasized the vital support from her family while navigating a public-facing career that made it difficult to discuss Kaylie’s challenges at work.
Becky Quick.
Becky Quick
After receiving the diagnosis, Quick spent her weekend researching SYNGAP1 but returned to her responsibilities on Monday. “It’s something you’re dealing with all the time, but it’s not something you can always share,” she noted, reflecting on the isolation many parents face in similar situations.
Quick’s decision to go public regarding Kaylie’s diagnosis stemmed from multiple factors, particularly ensuring her daughter was thriving and had access to necessary resources. “When you’re raising a child with special needs or with a rare disease, you are trying to make sure they have all the best possible care that they can get,” she stated. “But you’re also trying to figure out, is there the potential for a cure?”
Becky Quick’s daughter.
Becky Quick
As she learned more about rare diseases, Quick recognized that many families share similar struggles. Despite her public role facilitating communication, she remained aware of others who may feel alone in their journey. “I started to realize that so many of us in these different communities are kind of walking that same path in a very lonely way,” she reflected.
In response to these insights, CNBC is set to launch *CNBC Cures*, an initiative dedicated to raising awareness for the approximately 30 million Americans living with rare diseases. Quick describes the initiative as a platform aimed at advocating for medical advancements and fostering community connections.
Becky Quick’s daughter.
Becky Quick
Currently, Quick reports that Kaylie is making significant efforts to communicate. “Part of what happens with SYNGAP is the dendrites in your brain kind of get overloaded,” she explains. “Sometimes that massive amount of stimulus… overwhelms her.” Despite challenges, Kaylie is progressing with the help of therapy.
Kaylie attends a special needs school that regularly engages students with community activities. Quick emphasized the importance of these interactions: “I want people to understand and raise awareness of kids like ours who may look or act a little differently, but they’re just kids too, and they want to be part of society.”
