1. Can you tell me about your family?
My husband is German, but grew up in Taiwan. I’m from the US (Missouri). We met while we were working at an international school in China. We have three children. Our oldest, Ge Ge* is 13, Jie Jie* is 11 (CdCS), and Mei Mei* is 10. All three were born in China. We currently live in Taiwan where we work with families of children with special needs.
2. Tell me about your loved one with cri du chat syndrome.
Jie Jie is a character who loves to joke around and make people laugh. She loves legos, all animals (stuffed, plastic, and real), her baby dolls, loves to play ball (soccer, baseball, and basketball), and she loves the water.
Her two favorite places are the zoo and the beach. She thinks the penguins will dance and the pandas will break out in Kung Fu (Thank you “Happy Feet” and “Kung Fu Panda”).
3. Tell me about doctor appointment, therapies or school.
When she was diagnosed we were living in China, we would travel to Hong Kong every three months for therapy sessions. I would be given “homework” to do with her every day. After a few years, we moved to Taiwan where we could get regular PT, OT, and ST weekly – mostly in English. Her ST at that time was working on eating, so I wasn’t concerned about English. Now that she is eating, we’ve switched to an online ST program from the US. Her teacher is American. We use Skype to meet once a week. Jie Jie still has OT and PT with her Taiwanese therapist, though not as often.
School: This has been the hardest part of not living in the US or in Germany, but it has all worked out. She started out in a Taiwanese kindergarten class and did really well, but we switched her first grade year because we felt she needed more English lessons. The schools for international kids do not have a special education program. They are all private, so I began homeschooling her. After a couple of years, my husband started a small homeschool co-op that includes special education. She now goes half day there and has a special ed teacher. I believe the socialization has been so good for her, as well as learning to sit and wait in line.
4. Tell me a success story.
I once had a friend who is a special education teacher tell me that every letter, number, step, grasp, etc was a success and worth celebrating. She really encouraged me and helped me when I was homeschooling – so honestly, she has had a LOT of success stories. The most recent one though is this year she has learned to read and spell CVC words. This is so huge for me because I had hoped, but didn’t know if she could do it.
5. What else would you like the world to know?
I think the world needs to know that people with special needs are people with personalities and character. They are not just a shell sitting in a wheelchair taking up space. I love it when people look at Jie Jie and talk to her. I love it more, when the also acknowledge my other children as well.
*These are not their real names. It is what I call them on the internet. They are Chinese words. Ge Ge means older brother. Jie Jie means older sister. Mei Mei means younger sister.
Lessons from my daughter 
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I found this interesting. I know nothing of this syndrome. However, I and my husband know Madonna and her family back in Jamesport, Missouri, USA. Her family, mother, dad, two older sisters and brother were very close, spending evenings, weekends together with Madonna the very young sister. Hey! to Madonna and family. Happy to see your pictures and story. Judy and Joe Dyke.
what a wonderful family, and thanks for sharing )
My pleasure. I love getting to know other families who live with the cri du chat syndrome reality. Our kids are so much more than their syndromes.
I love reading your interviews. The insight is amazing
Thank you!
An inspiring story. God bless!
Thank you for reading!