From the WSA Interim ED,
Sarah Giddings
Dear WSA Family,
This year, I’ve had the privilege of stepping into the role of interim executive director of the Williams Syndrome Association. In this position, I’ve witnessed something extraordinary: the strength and resilience of a community bound not just by shared challenges, but by shared hope.
Earlier this month, I attended a conference supporting adults with another genetic condition that is accompanied by intellectual and developmental disabilities. While each group’s journey is unique, one theme was universal: progress happens when people come together.
At the WSA, we live this truth every day. We partner with medical professionals advancing groundbreaking research, educators creating inclusive opportunities, and families and caregivers who provide unwavering love and advocacy. Every success—no matter how big or small—is the result of connection.
I think about a mother I spoke with recently. She told me about her young son with Williams syndrome, who had just participated in his school’s holiday concert. For years, she worried he’d never be included in such a moment. But thanks to an incredible teacher who took the time to understand him, a community that encouraged his gifts, and the resources and support she gained from the WSA, he stood proudly on stage, singing his heart out.
Stories like these remind us why we do this work. But they also highlight how much more we need to do. Our goal for the coming year is to deepen and expand these vital partnerships and connections—to ensure that every family, every individual, has the support they need to thrive.
As a rare disorder, the WSA depends almost entirely on private donations to fund our work. We receive no federal or state funding, so it’s your generosity that allows us to:
- Connect families with life-changing resources.
- Equip doctors and researchers with the data and tools to advance understanding of WS, including the Collaborative Registry for Williams Syndrome (CReWS).
- Advocate for inclusion in schools, workplaces, and communities.
- Provide emotional and practical support to individuals with WS and their families every step of the way.
We can’t do this alone. None of us can. But together, we can create a world where every individual with Williams syndrome has the chance to thrive.
This holiday season, I invite you to join us in this mission. Your gift to our annual appeal helps turn connection into action, hope into reality, and dreams into achievable goals.
Donate Now to our 2024 Annual Appeal and help us build a stronger, more connected future for the Williams syndrome community.
With gratitude and hope,
Sarah Giddings
Interim Executive Director
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