William's Syndrome
By: Hannah Jenkins and Katy Snyder
What is William's Syndrome?
William's Syndrome is a rare genetic disease. Its symptoms include mental retardation, a distinctive personality of over-friendliness and empathy combined with anxiety,and facial features such as a small upturned nose, a wide mouth, full lips, and widely spaced teeth.
While people with William's Syndrome generally have many medical complications, the most common is cardiovascular disease due to narrowed arteries. This is because people with William's Syndrome are missing the gene elastin. This gene's protein gives blood vessels the strength and elasticity necessary for a lifetime of use. Heart defects as well as circulatory disoders are also common for those afflicted by William's Syndrome.
Typical people with William's Syndrome have various mental strengths and weaknesses. One such strength is in things dealing with short term memory and language. Weaknesses include difficulty drawing, writing, or copying patterns.
However, people with William's Syndrome can also have special talents and quirks, such as a natual affinity for music. Also, most people with WS are exceptionally happy humans. For more information, take a look at this article.
Comments (13)
rryoung@... said
at 8:22 am on Oct 29, 2009
Add: pictures. Make this page really appealing to the eyes - this is the first impression of your visitors. Make them WANT to see/hear more! :)
Chelsea Johnson said
at 9:04 am on Nov 4, 2009
I really liked the symptoms page. It was very graphically appealing, and well organized. I also appreciated that you had a link to the homepage on every subpage. Saved me some time in navigating.
Kyle Gooding said
at 9:08 am on Nov 4, 2009
This homepage really appeals to me. I like your research page, it shows that a lot of people really care about this
Macy Plummer said
at 9:36 am on Nov 4, 2009
The picture on the diagnosis page was helpful in understanding the FISH procedure.
Alex Gregory said
at 10:31 am on Nov 4, 2009
The pictures on the Symptoms page did a really good job of visually explaining the symptoms.
Jessica Hall said
at 1:48 pm on Nov 4, 2009
I liked the symptoms page and the pictures really helped my understanding of the symptoms. I also really liked the research page, all of the links provided a ton of intersting info.
Saumya Nagar said
at 10:02 pm on Nov 4, 2009
Very interesting. I had to use the links a few times to clarify what some things meant. I found it very interesting that people with William's Syndrome were especially talented in the field of music. Did you find out why?
Hannah Jenkins said
at 10:33 pm on Nov 4, 2009
There is nothing scientific or genetic about it; they just have a natural affinity towards music, not necessarily a natural "giftedness." Therefore, through Music Therapy, they are able to use this affinity to learn how to focus better.
Kiran Bassi said
at 9:37 am on Nov 5, 2009
William's syndrome seems very difficult to cope with even though individuals that have the condition are over-friendly and very bubbly.
Alex Burgan said
at 9:44 am on Nov 5, 2009
There was a lot of very good information here. I found it especially interesting that people with William's syndrome have a natural affinity for music. I also thought that the FISH procedure was easy to understand from the picture on the diagnosis page.
Jessica Hall said
at 9:46 am on Nov 5, 2009
I didn't know that William's Syndrome could have such a negative effect on the cardiovascular system due to that lack of elastin in the arteries. I also didn't know that there is no cure for this disease.
Audra Cokain said
at 9:49 am on Nov 5, 2009
I've never really heard of this disease but it is interesting to learn that they have an over-friendliness personality and the different kinds of clinics used to treat symptoms. Good Job. :)
Cheryl Twyman said
at 9:54 am on Nov 5, 2009
It was interesting to find out that the people with this disorder generally do not have children. Also, the children with it are generally smaller in size then people without the disorder.
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