Angelman Today January / February edition 2014 | Page 6

Angels in Action
Celebrating the Abilities of our Angels
By Keisha Tipton, Mom to Rylee, age 9

As a parent who has been
injected into disability culture
through a loved one, I feel we
also have a separate and unique
Angelman Syndrome culture.
Our Angelman family is
accepting, supportive, and nonjudgmental; a culture that we
are all proud of sharing with
one another. Yes, we have
trials and tribulations to
overcome, but we are far from
alone in this journey. We build
each other up with words of
encouragement and support.
Each family goes through our
own experiences.
I’d like to take a moment to
share with you our story. A
story that is essentially just
beginning because I see an
optimistic future for Rylee;
where, before, it hasn’t always
looked so bright.
We all know those grim
feelings upon that dreaded

diagnosis and the instant
worries and fears we faced for
our children. These feelings
fuel my fire for creating every
opportunity for Rylee to
succeed in life despite the
challenges she faces. I refuse
to wallow in the sadness and
grief. How can I when Rylee is
th