My daughter Rebecca (Boo)

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Rebecca was born in February 1991 and was my first child.  We learnt of her condition when she was 5 weeks old.  We didn't really understand a lot about it at the time but we did our research and not everything we read we really wanted to know at that time.  I think it is important to state to new parents that your baby evolves with you and that it is natutal to be scared at first.  

Rebecca was sitting at around 10 months, commando crawling at 18 months and took her first steps unaided at 3 years.  She spoke her first real words aged 8 but to this day it is difficult for most people to understand what she is saying.  She loves to sign and is certainly making up for not speaking for 8 years now.

Rebecca had problems during her first year but has been extremely healthy ever since.  She is now a happy lively strong, energetic young lady who goes to 'work on a farm and looks after horses, chickens and dogs.  She loves doing wood work and painting and is a pleaseure to be with most of the time.  

There are many more positives then negatives living with a person with Cri Du Chat and it can be hard work at times especailly as Rebecca has many autistic traits.

My advice to new parents is that  it is not the end of the world when you get the diagnosis it is just the begining of a slightly different journey in which youi will meet many fabulous people and make some life long friends.