Wonderful Wendy

Wendy is a wonderful addition to the team at the Fragile X Society.  With funding from Jeans for Genes in 2006, the Society was able to employ Wendy as its first Family Support Worker.

Wendy from the Fragile X Society

Fragile X is the most common cause of inherited learning disability, caused by a faulty X chromosome.  But there’s a lack of awareness and understanding about the condition and this is where Wendy is invaluable.

She offers advice and practical support to parents.  She can also help professionals like teachers and doctors who need to know more about fragile X.

“Sheila is a woman who’s been caring for her grandson since his mum died,” says Wendy.  “She’d moved with him back to her own house and she started to look for a school in her area.

It was a difficult time for her because the state special schools were already full.  She couldn’t apply for a place at a private school until her grandson’s needs were assessed.”

Wendy was not only able to offer support to Sheila but she could also give Social Services key information about fragile X to make sure Sheila’s grandson got the school place that suited him best.

“The situation is ongoing” says Wendy “but I can be there for Sheila as we all work together to help her grandson.  I know from her emails that she finds it reassuring that I’m always at the end of the phone.”

Funding from Jeans for Genes in 2007 will allow the Fragile X Society to expand this wonderful service.