Alessia

Alessia is our second child and was born with Pallister-Killian Syndrome – here is our story:Alessia was born 2007. She was born 5 weeks early due to polyhydramnios (extra amniotic fluid). I had a feeling that something wasn’t quite right from the moment I took the test – I put it down to running around after a 12 month old toddler. All my ultrasounds and tests came back negative or within normal parameters, until I suddenly gained a lot of weight. My obstetrician started monitoring me a little closer around the 32 week mark and basically ordered me to have another ultrasound. It was decided that after the 3rd lot of foetal monitoring that an emergency caesarean was in order – I called Nic to ask if he planned to do anything for his birthday, at which he said “no” – I told him that’s great, because we are having our baby. At 8:21pm on Monday February 19, 2007 our precious Princess Alessia arrived into this world. She was taken to our children’s hospital {Princess Margaret Hospital (PMH)} within 4 hours of arriving into this world where she spent 64 days being poked, prodded, heal pricked, etc. only to be discharged without a diagnosis. Although, we were told that she would not be ‘normal’ – those words still haunt us! We eventually (18 months later) got a diagnosis – our little girl has PKS.Now 3 years later, we have a beautiful happy little girl who has vision and hearing impairment, low muscle tone, developmental delay – but she has the most gorgeous giggle and smile, she is not talking, but she will certainly let us know when she’s happy, tired, needs a nappy change or just wants a cuddle. It sometimes feels like Alessia “doesn’t do much” but she does roll, does grab things that interest her, she enjoys hydro and playgroup – it certainly beats the days when we brought her home and all she did was stare at the lights!We accept her as she is and know that she will be the best person she can, with help from us.Alessia is little sister to the most adoring big brother anyone could ask for, Adam - he will be 5 years old in August. There is only 18 months difference between Adam and Alessia – it is not quite how we envisaged parenthood the 2nd time around, but that’s the way it is and “we just get on with it”. Adam loves to tickle Alessia and she just giggles away. He asks many questions and we try to answer them honestly and to the best of our ability. Adam is turning out to be a very considerate, gentle little boy – we know that has a lot to do with Alessia.Alessia is a happy little girl, who loves to be tickled, cuddled and has a mean giggle…………. and that’s all that matters to us.Terzita, Nic and Adam