Jade and the Walking Stick

About the Book

Inspired by the story of a young girl with Angelman Syndrome, Jade and the Walking Stick is a fantastical tale of a special needs child coping with the challenges in her life. Written for the author’s daughter, the book symbolizes the developmental milestones common to special needs children through a fantasy fiction narrative. A fable of acceptance and triumph, Jade and the Walking Stick should inspire others to face all of life’s challenges with a smile. Angelman Syndrome (AS) is a chromosomal disorder which causes severe developmental delay and physical/mental handicaps. The condition is caused by a partial deletion of the 15th maternal chromosome. Children with AS typically require an assistive device (usually a walker) until they learn to walk on their own (usually between 5 and 8 years of age). Individuals with AS (or “angels” as their known) very seldom learn to speak, and if they do, they usually only have a vocabulary of 1-10 words. AS children are known for their unusually happy demeanor and wide, bright smile. “Angels” make friends wherever they go because they are almost always laughing and smiling.

About the Author