Here Comes the Sun - a Column by Joelene Wand

After my son, Jude, was diagnosed with Angelman syndrome in April 2024 at 16 months, taking time to focus on my fitness felt like a luxury. Intense emotional processing took over as I cycled through fear, hope, guilt, and exhaustion. Every week was filled with new…

My 2-year-old son, Jude, lives with Angelman syndrome and is nonverbal, so I’ve had to become more attuned to the subtle ways he communicates his thoughts and feelings. Sometimes he clearly expresses how he’s feeling, such as by laughing while playing peekaboo, spinning in a sensory swing, or (gasp)…

Two months ago, we took a step I’d been apprehensive of since Jude, my now 2.5-year-old son, was diagnosed with Angelman syndrome at 16 months, in April 2024. We started seizure medicine. We knew seizures were common in people with Angelman syndrome, but the experience still…

Most days, I’m met with kindness and warmth when I’m out with my 2-year-old son, Jude, who lives with Angelman syndrome. Neighbors see us helping Jude with his gait trainer and kneel down to his level to smile and encourage him. Friends and family show genuine interest in…

Being a caregiver for someone living with Angelman syndrome demands constant physical, mental, and emotional presence. Recently, we’ve become increasingly vigilant and attentive to the needs of our son, Jude, who’s 2 years old and has Angelman. Life doesn’t stop even as we’re caring for the seizures and…

It’s been a year since our son, Jude, was diagnosed with Angelman syndrome (deletion of the UBE3A gene) at 16 months old. The past year has been a roller coaster of appointments, endless research, and overwhelming emotions. For the first few months after his diagnosis, I’d stay up late going down…

In the past month, I’ve felt pangs of guilt about several things while caring for my 2-year-old son, Jude, who lives with Angelman syndrome. I feel guilty while helping Jude learn to communicate or develop other skills for daily life. I’m fearful that I’m holding him back from learning…

As a caregiver, I understand that raising awareness about Angelman syndrome requires us to proactively educate the public. This can be done via social media or by organizing and participating in advocacy events. No gesture is too small. We’re encouraging our community to show support on International Angelman…

The beginning of a new year is a hopeful and optimistic time. It’s symbolic of a fresh start, providing an opportunity to reflect on the past and embrace the future. Hope can be challenging to let in when caring for a person with Angelman syndrome, a rare neurogenetic disorder…

Prior to receiving our son Jude’s diagnosis of Angelman syndrome last April, when he was just 16 months old, we beamed with pride that he was a social butterfly who brought joy to everyone he met. Jude’s cheerful personality has always drawn attention. Passersby, checkout cashiers, and waitresses often…