Wednesday, July 22, 2009

National Fragile X Awareness Day


This picture was taken just days after we found out about our Diagnosis. It was a lot to process and a very scary time, and even though there was very little information about females with Fragile X out there, we were in love with this little one, how could you not be, and decided we better get ready to weather the storm to come, whatever it may be.
I was on the Internet for days reading everything I could find on the Internet, forums and news groups and back posts and research articles, I ordered books off the web, and have a book shelf full now.
I can't say it has been all sunshine and rainbows, but I feel so lucky to have this shinning star. The books I once obsessed over are now collecting dust, and our life is just a life, I don;t worry about milestones, progress, I see Holly moving forward each day in her development and with her therapists, so my time with her, is for cuddles and play, and joy, and I love every minute of it.
I hope this blog and our story about raising holly, a girl with Fragile X Syndrome, and the Experimental treatment's we have done help other parents on their Journey.

Here is a link to whats going on today

Here is a press release telling you a little more about Fragile X.

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NIH plan charts course to better treatments and cure for most common known genetic cause of Autism: Fragile X

WALNUT CREEK, CA — Fragile X Syndrome (FXS) research is moving closer to finding a cure with the recent approval by The National Institutes of Health (NIH) of a comprehensive plan created by a group of leading scientists, parents and advocates.

The Congressional Fragile X Caucus is convening a Congressional briefing to highlight the work of the NIH's Research Plan on Fragile X Syndrome and Associated Disorders and to celebrate National Fragile X Awareness Day in Washington, DC. Leaders of the NIH and Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC), along with leading Fragile X researchers who were instrumental in the development of the plan, will provide insights on the development of the plan, outline key recommendations, and discuss the plan's future impact on the entire Fragile X research trajectory.

FXS is the most common cause of inherited mental impairment, ranging from learning disabilities to more severe cognitive or intellectual disabilities, and is the most common known, single gene cause of autism or "autistic-like" behaviors. Over the past several years, research programs have made significant advances in the understanding of FXS and the associated disorders of fragile X-associated tremor/ataxia (FXTAS) and fragile X-associated primary ovarian insufficiency (FXPOI).

The report recommends 19 goals and 93 objectives to help shape future research in Fragile X-associated Disorders (FXD). Recommendations range from very basic research to applied policy research. Objectives include studying educational and behavioral interventions, evaluating family support systems, identifying risk factors, and looking at molecular and biological systems.
"Implementing a plan of this scope and depth will be an ongoing process over the next few years," said Don Bailey, Ph.D., distinguished fellow at RTI International (rti.org) and president of the NFXF Board of Directors. "It will require major funding from federal agencies, bright and dedicated researchers who are willing to focus on Fragile X, sustained advocacy, and financial partnerships, but we can see the light at the end of the tunnel. The National Fragile X Foundation fully endorses this plan, and we pledge to work with the NIH and other key partners to make sure that it becomes a living document that truly shapes future research."
Visit fragilex.org for a link to the full plan.

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