When you start reading about details of Williams Syndrome symptoms in adults, you begin to pick up that anxiety is one of the more common symptoms shown by many adults. Anxiety – doesn’t sound too disturbing does it? Maybe a little nervousness, maybe some uncertainty in difficult situations? I admit I wasn’t too worried to […]
Angry Birds
Linda, loves music, she loves dancing, she loves babies, she loves aeroplanes… These things, although an eclectic collection of passions, are probably familiar to many people who know someone with Williams Syndrome. Never has Linda been particularly interested in computer games, until now. I guess she is used to seeing me come home, sit on […]
At A Funeral
Funerals are often tough times for many people. It might be different but not necessarily easier for a Williams Syndrome adult. We have recently and unexpectedly lost an ageing auntie. We know she’d had a long life, we know it was a blessed release and we’re still going to miss her a lot! The funeral […]
Samsung Monte in the Bag!
After several days of intensive online browsing, Linda has finally decided on what phone to buy. The final purchase was a pink Samsung Monte. I’ve got beyond wondering whether it’s a downgrade or even value for money. It is bringing great pleasure and, when you’re spending your own, hard earned money, I guess we all […]
Who decides how to spend their money?
The best of times or is it the worst of times… How many hours is it since I was celebrating Linda’s first paycheck? As a Williams Syndrome adult, payment for work is certainly an unexpected bonus but I’d totally failed to anticipate the consequences. Yes, she was pleased and proud. She was certainly the proud […]
This is exactly to my specification!
People with Williams Syndrome are noted for their verbal skills. They often have a wide vocabulary but use those words in an unusual way. We saw a great example of this today. Today was a special day. Linda was receiving her first ever pay check – as share in the profits of goods she’s made […]
Williams Syndrome – Genetic Condition – Chromosomal Deletion?!! What??
In a person affected by WS, somewhere along the line, possibly in the formation of the egg or the sperm cell or very early after conception, a random event deletes a small piece from one copy of chromosome 7. The size of the missing piece is slightly different in different people but it often contains 20 to 30 genes and the affected person then has only one copy of these genes rather than the normal two copies.
So why won’t she walk on the gravel?
When we moved house, we knew there might be a bit of a problem parking cars… the driveway is long and thin and runs alongside the house and a long thin flowerbed. We end up parking the cars one behind another and there’s only a few inches of the concrete driveway free to walk on […]
What Is Williams Syndrome
Williams Syndrome is a genetic condition that affects between one in every 8,000 or 25,000 births, depending on which part of the world you live in or which website you get your information from. Either way, it's pretty rare and most people won't personally know someone who has Williams Syndrome. The syndrome was first described in 1961 by a Dr Williams based on a number of characteristics in people affected; basically four children all with aortic stenosis, learning difficulties and particular facial features. In the mid 1990s researchers were able to confirm that the root cause of WS was a small deletion on chromosome 7, that means, in people with WS, a piece of genetic material that contains about 25 different genes, is missing from one of their chromosomes.
Williams Syndrome and Maths exams
Did you enjoy taking your maths exams? Linda struggled at school, in most, if not all subjects so far as I can remember and particularly with “doing her sums”. When Linda moved in after Dad’s death we discussed what activities she was interested in and I was surprised when she said she’d like to improve […]