Hello!  My name is Angela and I am 23 years old and have BWS. I read a lot of your stories about your children and I feel compelled to add my own story. I was born on August 10, 1977. I am the 3rd of 5 girls, one of which is my twin sister. My twin, Chrissy, was not born with BWS. I was born in .... Indiana, but was rushed to .... Childrens Hospital soon after being born. I exhibited many of the classic symptoms of BWS, enlarged tongue, umbilical hernia, ear creases, and a "stork bite" on my forehead. I was also hypoglycemic. My mom once told me that I blood sugar got as low as 18 before, they thought I had died. I was quite sick for awhile as an infant, but as I grew I got a lot better.  As far as medical check-ups, I went every 6 months to Riley and had ultrasounds on my kidneys to check for tumors. I noticed that a lot of your children go every 3 months, even better!! I never had the tongue reduction surgery, my tongue stuck out when I was little, but I eventually grew into it. Once in awhile I catch myself letting the tip of it out if I am really tired or concentrating on something. 
    It has caused some problems with my lower jaw, nothing real major. I have a small underbite, but thats about it. My umbilical hernia was fixed at birth, now I have a "bowtie" for a belly button. Thats what it looks like!! My mark on my forehead grew smaller as I grew older, now it only really shows if I am mad or when I am hot. Then it shines like a beacon!! A real good indicator to my husband! ha ha. I have always been above average size, very muscular for a female.  As far as a childhood, mine was very normal.  I was raised out in the country, my sisters and I are very close. None of my sisters were born with BWS, I guess I was the lucky one. I wasn't teased too much as a child, I was stronger than most of the boys so they didn't mess with me much. I can sympathize with the children that are being teased, it is sometimes difficult to understand my speech due to my tongue, so I was teased for that. I went through speech therapy when I was in elementary school, really didn't help much. I found it harder to form the words the way they tried to make me, so I just talked normal for me. Oh well!! I had pretty good grades in high school and went on to college in 96. I graduated from Vincennes University with a degree in Law Enforcement in 99. I met my husband, Andy, in college. We were married on October 9, 1999. My husband accepted me for the person that I am, and thinks I am beautiful the way I am. 
    Our biggest concern right now is children. We are wanting to have them soon, but are very worried about the risk of passing BWS onto them. Your stories are a true inspiration to us, even though we don't reply to many of them. I find myself a little less worried after I read your letters of success with your children. I hope that after reading my letter, you may find some hope for the future of your children. There is a light at the end of the tunnel, I am living proof that BWS can be overcome. I have had a wonderful 23 years, and look forward to a million more. Feel free to e-mail me anytime, I am open to any and all questions!

God Bless,
Angie