With a rate of 1 in approximately 50,000 birth, Cri du Chat randomly appears 7 or

8 times per year in Canada. In a country covering 9.985 million squared km, these 7 or 8 babies can be really far away for one another.

For us, when Emily was little, it meant no other families were near by.

For us in 1999 when she was diagnosed, it meant that our only source of information was a really slow internet connection.

Fast forward to today, the internet is faster, facebook is full of support groups and many bloggers out there raising awareness.

I am one of these bloggers!

Cri du Chat Syndrome is characterized at birth by a high pitched cry, low birth weight, poor muscle tone, microcephaly, and potential medical complications.

Cri du Chat Syndrome is also called 5p- (5 p minus) Syndrome.

The term “5p-” is used by geneticists to describe a portion of the short arm (p) of chromosome number 5 that is missing.

Cri du Chat Syndrome is a spectrum disorder.

Children born with this rare genetic defect will most likely require ongoing support from a team of parents, therapists, and medical and educational professionals to help the child achieve his or her maximum potential.

Find more about about Cri du Chat syndrome at 5p- Society

If you’ve been following our blog for awhile, you know Emily is not defined by her syndrome!

Over the week, I will do my best to tell you more about Cri du Chat Syndrome!

We have a facebook page: If you want short updates and timely pictures of the little things that are happening in our life, please like and follow Lessons from my daughter‘s page.

You can also find me on Twitter at @plebrass

I am on Pinterest too: Lessons from my Daughter

#CriduChatAwareness