My daughter Sheridan was born on 13th March 1984, which at the time I considered to be lucky, considering the problems the doctors thought she had. Dave and I knew there were problems but when  we were told that it was Beckwith-Wiedemann syndrome we just looked at each other stunned. Sheridan's symptoms consisted of macroglossia (large tongue on one side), omphalocele, hypoglycaemia, and hemihypertrophy. I won't rave on too much - She was born with hypoglycaemia which was fixed at birth basically using cortisone to stabilize the sugar level and would improve with diet eventually. Her bowel was repaired and her hemihypertrophy was only on one side (right). Her tongue was operated on when she was 16 months, the cut was at the front and the other cut down towards the back.  This process did not interfere with the taste buds.  This was done by a pediatric surgeon, the idea was to shorten it length and width ways.  Sheridan has had only one operation, seems to be ok, there is a little overbite which doesn't seem to cause a problem so the dentist says, and her tongue is I suppose what you would call a little meaty.  She can be embarrassed by this sometimes but has learnt to adjust as much as possible. Sheridan also had follow ups on her legs, one being a little longer than the other as well as kidney ultrasounds, we had a couple of scares but all was ok, this continued until she was about 12 years of age. Sheridan is a happy young lady who now is a little curious about things and wants to know more about the syndrome.  We are all interested in older children, whether they have had children, and whether this problem has occurred.  At the time there was not alot of information around.  We had also seen a genetics doctor who said when she was old enough he would do a little explaining and answer all the questions she wanted to know. Sheridan has proven that despite problems you are capable of doing what you set your mind on. She is a good netballer with no co-ordination problems, she has now been selected in the Riverina Academy of Sport - anything is possible.

Regards
Shaz

February 2000

On the 13th March 1984 there I was taking my first breath, to my mother and father's surprise as well as the people who wanted to know what planet I came  from, that I was no ordinary baby. I was special, not because of the way I looked but because I had something that normal kids didn't have, god compensates in different ways - I have a good personality and are able to make people laugh, I am also a positive type person.

Year 1.
As I started the year, everything goes well, but just one exercise had to change my life.  I was eating with my friends and we had just had some lollies, everyone poked out their tongue to see what colour it was.  You can guess what can next - everyone looked at me and backed away in astonishment, for the rest of the day people didn't talk to me, didn't sit next to me and didn't even wave. I felt alone and scared of what could happen in the future. Mum had explained that people were not perfect, but that didn't help much as this time.

By the time I hit years 5 & 6 people sat next to me didn't care what I looked like and even asked me to have a go in the school netball team. I'm in year 10, people still tease me, but I stand up for myself, I don't care what people say or think, I just walk away. People say that I'm good with kids, I coach and play netball and I have been extremely successful, and continue to strive.

Some of my success are:
Indoor Representative Netball player - '97,'98,'99 & 2000
T.I.D. (Talent Identification) Netball - Reserve '98
T.I.D. (Talent Identification) Netball - Camp ..... '99
C.H.S. (Combined High Schools) Netball Senior Squad - State (5th)
 Netball team (C grade)
Academy of Sport - 2000 squad
Representative - Softball '96 & '97
Athletics - State
Age Athletics Champion - Years 3 - 6 then in Year 9

I like the way I am, no matter what, everyone's different and no-one can take that away from you.

Regards
Shezza (Sheridan)