Welcome

Welcome to our blog. Our purpose is to keep family and friends updated regarding our family, and especially regarding our sweet baby Lauren.

Lauren was born with Williams Syndrome. Williams Syndrome is a small deletion of genetic material on chromosome #7. It happens randomly, occuring in around 1 in 7,500 births. So it's very rare and most people have never heard of it, including lots of doctors. People with WS have many similar problems and characteristics. Here are some of the main ones:

Characteristic facial appearance
Cardiovascular problems
Learning Disabilities
Hypercalcemia (elevated blood calcium levels)
Feeding problems
Dental abnormalities
Kidney abnormalities
Hernias
Hyperacusis (sensitive hearing)
Musculoskeletal problems
Excessively social personality
Developmental delays
Attention Deficit
Marked gross and fine motor difficulties
Marked visuo-spatial difficulties


How WS affects people can vary greatly. Lauren won't have every problem, but she will need lots of care throughout her life. So far, we are very fortunate that Lauren is doing very well. She does have moderate pulmonary stenosis, which is a narrowing in her heart that may require open heart surgery. This is very common in people with WS. She also receives physical therapy and occupational therapy twice a week. Her gross and fine motor skills are showing improvement.

I guess the good news is that people with WS tend to be very happy and friendly, but because they are "different," they have trouble having true friends, and I worry about her being teased and being lonely. She will most likely not marry, have kids, home, career-all the things a parent dreams their kids will be able to have. She will probably not be able to live independently, although some can work and live alone, but with support and supervision.

Tuesday, October 23, 2007

10/23/07 Lauren's Latest Echo

Lauren had an echocardiogram yesterday. Great news! Her pulmonary stenosis isn't even a little bit worse. I went from being so worried, I couldn't sleep, to feeling like celebrating! The doctor was very pleased, because the result shows the stenosis is actually slightly better, even though she has grown quite a bit since her last echo, 3 months ago. Normally, the narrowing will worsen in the artery with growth. The doctor doesn't even need to see her back for another 6 months! So that's one less thing to worry about, at least until April.

Some other thoughts...
I think so much every day about what Lauren's life will be like. We don't know how severe her challenges will be, but I know she will also have her strengths. I do have a lot of hope that she will be one of the lucky ones-maybe she will have average intelligence. I have to be realistic, but there is that possibility. I worry so much, but I don't often let myself consider that she may be one of the worse-off people with WS. I just choose to be more optimistic than that. And I do have good reason to hope that she will do fairly well (see post dated 10/11/07). Sometimes I do think about how sad the situation is, but I have gotten so used to the idea that she will be "different," that I have just come to accept it. It's not so bad. Her life will be drastically different than we thought it would be, but we can't forget that there is still so much to enjoy! I just believe in taking what comes and still choosing to be happy. It is a choice, and we have to choose happiness, for Lauren, for our other two children, and for ourselves. Life is too short to spend it being miserable. And we have a responsibility to all three of our kids to make life as great for them as we can. We take that very seriously. So...don't feel too badly for us. We don't cry ourselves to sleep (anymore).

4 comments:

Noel said...

I followed the link to your site from the WS support index. Just wanted to let you know that there are a large group of mom's and a few grandma's that blog. We have links to each other's blogs in the sidebar. Check mine out( click on the name at the top...it will link you there claytonkids.blogspot.com)

If you want I will add you to the links on mine. It is fun to see all of the kids grow and change!! My daughter Abi is almost 5.
Welcome to the WS community!
Noel

Laura said...

I found your blog through Noel (Abi's mom). Just wanted to say "Hi". My name is Laura and I have an 8 year old daughter with WS.

Nancy said...

Hi Connie & Jerry! My son is 3 years old and has WS.

It's hard to guess what the future will look like for them and even more difficult to let go old hopes and expectations (I'm still learning).

Erik may be a standup comedian someday. It has been wonderful watching his personality develop and draw people into his weird, wonderful little world. I have learned so much from that little guy.

Lisa said...

I am so way behind the 8 ball on blogging and reading lately, i am Tatums Mom...Looks like Lauren is a little chink just like Tatum LOL it does get better but not easier. I am glad he pulmanary stenosis has not changed...we actually have recently (well 2 visits ago) saw improvement in Tate's....The fear of the unknow is the worst huh...

About Me

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Jerry and I have three daughters: Katelyn is 6, and in the 1st grade. She is in her 5th year of ballet. Kristen is 4, in pre-school, and switched from ballet to gymnastics and loves it! Lauren turned 2 years old on January 8, 2008. We live in Holly, Michigan.

DONATIONS ACCEPTED, NEVER EXPECTED, ALWAYS APPRECIATED

Lauren's extended family has graciously created a mutual fund for Lauren's future. We will care for Lauren as long as possible, but inevitably there will come a time when we are gone. We never want anyone to feel obligated to help Lauren, but there are many people who like to make donations to various causes, and would like to be able to help someone they know. Please know all donations are immediately deposited directly to Lauren's fund, and will only be used for her needs once we can no longer care for her. Donations can be made in any amount, at any time, by anyone, to the following address:

Edward Jones Investments
P.O. Box 395
New Baltimore, MI 48047-0395

Checks can be made payable to Edward Jones Investments with a note indicating it is for the Lauren Stark Fund. Questions can be answered by our Edward Jones Investments Representative, Pat Dorcey, at 586-725-6445, or
post a message and we will get back with you promptly.