Emily Rose is my pride and joy.  I would do everything in the world for her; I love her that much.

Emily is disabled:  she was born with Williams syndrome, which has left her mentally disabled, but she is the sweetest little girl with a giagantic personality and giggles.  Williams syndrome is a rare genetic disorder that causes heart problems, motor and co-ordination difficulties, and mental retardation. She is short for her age and quite chubby; she is very cute.

Even with all that she has been through, Em is my rock; she's the one who usually cheers me up whenever I am having a bad day.  She is ready to give me a hug or a kiss at a moment's notice; I just wish more people could learn to see past her imperfections and see her as I do:  a gift from God.

When I was told that my daughter was disabled, it was the worst feeling in the world.  I felt like my world came crashing down; then I met some caring people who run a support system for people who have children with special needs, and these last ten years have been the best in my life.  They have been with me (and with Em) for every step of the way.  I can't imagine my life without them.

Emily has had many hospital stays (or operations), but through it all, she is more determined to beat the odds and is proving to be talented in singing, dancing, and drawing.  Doctors who once gave up hope on her are seeing just what her capabilities are, and they are having second thoughts about "pre-judging" her, much to my relief.

It is exciting to see what the future holds for Em:  while she may never learn to drive a car or run in a marathon, she has far exceeded any predictions doctors pinned on her; now the world is her oyster, and she's ready to take it on full-tilt boggie! :)

I would write more, but Em is up; I hear her humming; it is her way to tell us that it's time to start a new day.  (I homeschool her; that way, if she has any problems, I can be there for her.)  Take care, and God bless; I will write more about Emily and also myself! 

You haven't heard the last from me!

~Sincerely, Ro (Roseanne) Tucker-Fuller, Emily's mom, Carlsbad, California.