A Glass Half Full
— Sabrina L. Johnson

As Juliana, my 13-year-old daughter with Angelman syndrome, gets older, improving her skills stays at the forefront of our daily living. We work on toileting, tooth brushing, and stair climbing. Any task that practices her fine motor skills is also on the list. One of those…

For the last few months, an odd sound has been emerging from my daughter’s room. My 13-year-old Angel, Juliana, is stuck making an “ugh” sound. The sound is annoying, and it’s left me baffled about whether we’re facing regression or progression with her communication. It’s hard to tell which…

When you’re a caregiver to someone with Angelman syndrome, making time for yourself seems like an impossibility. However, I consider this necessity an important part of my caregiver responsibilities. After all, if I don’t look out for my own well-being, I’ll burn out. And that will make the job…

I used to think that my 13-year-old Angel, Juliana, screamed a lot because she lacked understanding. There might be some truth to that, but something else is at play. Many of her outbursts are good old-fashioned tantrums that she’s performing to get her way. But I’ve started…

“Does she understand?” a friend asked me as Juliana watched a show on her iPad. It’s not uncommon for people to ask me if Juliana, my 13-year-old daughter with Angelman syndrome, understands what’s going on around her. Comprehension is a tricky topic when you’re dealing with a neurogenic…

A houseguest once passed her finger along a shelf in my house and asked, “Don’t you dust?” I was slightly offended, but didn’t overreact. I just briefly explained that I was a little busy. There are a lot of activities in our house that must be completed to ensure the…

Self-care has been an important part of the quality of support I provide for my 13-year-old Angel, Juliana. As the years add up for each of us, however, the word has taken on a new meaning. Regretfully, I’ve let a few things slip with my health over…

Communication is one of the skills I am most grateful for when I think about how my 13-year-old Angel, Juliana, is growing and changing. The other day, I thought about how far she has come since she was first introduced to the iPad. Our device was gifted by…

I’m not shocked when my 13-year-old Angel, Juliana, masters a skill we’ve worked on for a while. That’s because I know she learns best through repetition. But a few weeks ago, Juliana started snapping her fingers out of the blue. Her snaps aren’t hard and polished, but there’s no…

Seeing my 13-year-old Angel, Juliana, play in the water is nothing new for our family. But seeing her drink water has our family in awe and me wondering how to keep this miraculous trend going. I know many moms ponder how to keep their children hydrated. And I am…

Anyone who knows me, or has read any of my columns, knows that I crave simplicity in my life. It’s one of the things that make it easier to manage the care of my 13-year-old, Juliana, who has Angelman syndrome. When my husband decided to take on…