Following the Buried Under Paper episode, I’ve just realised that I’m facing an even bigger crisis tomorrow. We give Linda enough money each week to buy her agreed newspapers and magazines, to pay for various classes or events and to buy a drink and a snack as needed each day with a little left over […]
For you on Sunday!
I was up first this morning… Linda and Beth had declared their desire to have a restful morning so I let them lie in their beds as I came down and started to mooch around doing Sunday morning stuff. I’d settled down to check emails and updates on Facebook when I heard a voice at […]
Service Cuts hit home
Linda, as an adult with Williams Syndrome, is able to access the services provided for those with learning disabilities in our local area. For 9 months she has been attending a “Cooking with Confidence” class one evening a week and has made many absolutely delicious dishes over that time. Supported by an Agency Assistant she […]
What Does Williams Syndrome Mean?
Linda, my sister, is a woman in her 40s. For more than 10 years I have suspected she has Williams Syndrome. Nine months ago a FISH test finally confirmed that Linda has Williams Syndrome. Since then I’ve certainly discussed this with Linda on many occasions. I’ve even tried to explain about a genetic deletion using […]
All At Sea
Aboard the ferry on the journey home… The low rumble of the engines alerts me to the fact that we are have left our berth and are under way. The journey home has started. Linda gazes out of a window at the sea… “You should see this!” she exclaims. “We’re moving!” Her excitement is palpable […]
That Worthy Prize or An Immediate Reward?
Update – 24 hours later: Ah… Much as a multicoloured xylophone is extremely desirable to a musically-minded adult with Williams Syndrome, we haven’t yet mastered delayed gratification. Linda’s concept of the world is one of infinite abundance and to observe her behaviour, she definitely believes she can have her cake and eat it. And why […]
The Lizard Whisperer
People with Williams Syndrome are often drawn to subjects, almost obsessively. Sometimes the subjects are inanimate, often mechanical – fans, planes, radios. Other times they are very animate, people (of course), animals and young/babies are often a particular source of fascination. Linda loves animals and has books and books and books about them. She’s usually […]
Un, deux, trois!
I’ve written before about the love of language shown by Linda, typical of so many people with Williams Syndrome. Not only does Linda have a wide vocabulary, she loves using unusual words. So how will she fare in a different country with a new language? We’re on holiday in France. For the most part our […]
With An Eye to the Future
Linda looks forwards to things… Meeting people, birthdays, pocket money day or her next meal. All seem to be anticipated with equal, sometimes intense excitement. One of the things that I have grown accustomed to is sitting down to a long anticipated meal, sometimes something that in it’s own right was celebrated as a special […]
Sunglasses galore!
Linda is going on holiday. For a few days she is going to visit her brother and she is so looking forward to this. Adults with Williams Syndrome are known for being very friendly and this seems to be even more exaggerated when the focus is family. As this is a holiday where we hope […]