Kayley Marie Duveneck 
was born on September 29, 1998. After a complicated
pregnancy that resulted in an emergency c-section at 34 weeks, Kayley was born weighing
only 3lbs 4 oz.
When Kayley was still not crawling at 13 months, we took her in for genetic tests and she was diagnosed with Williams Syndrome. When we heard the diagnosis of WS, all I could do was cry. The doctors and different specialist bombarded me with tests and procedures that I would have to put my little girl through.
I wanted to take away the day we had her diagnosed...I wanted to forget that she had Williams Syndrome and live in the comfortable and familiar ignorance and denial that nothing was wrong with her. Instead, I listened and learned and put her through the tests that the doctors requested.
Since the diagnosis, which has now been about two years ago, I have learned to accept that her life is not going to be just the way I thought it would be and that is ok. There are two important things that help me raise Kayley. The first is my love and commitment to her as my child. The second is patience.
At three years old, Kayley can walk, climb, get into child proof locks, etc. She has a vocabulary of about 15 words that she uses on a regular basis. We have heard her say about 50 words. Kayley has just been introduced to the school setting. Up until she turned three, she was in occupational, physical, and speech therapy.
She is very friendly and will approach strangers. At this time, she has no health problems. She had reflux for about 8 months and was treated with medicine..which at some points seemed to aggravate it even more. She is just behind on meeting developmental milestones.
My husband and I are very proud of her and love her so much. If you have any
questions, please feel free to email us. cbrittneyd@yahoo.com
