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For Laura's
parents, much of the last eight years have revolved around
their daughter's compelling medical needs. Diagnosed with
Williams Syndrome—a rare congenital disorder caused
by an abnormality in chromosomes—
Laura underwent her first operation at age 3 in her native
Colombia.
Later, it was learned that the blood Laura received during
surgery was infected with the human immunodefieciency virus.
At age 6, she was diagnosed with HIV. By 8, she was fast
losing her vision to retinitis CMV.
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Among Laura's
many interests is soccer
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Brought to the
U.S. by the Lily Clare Foundation, a Williams Syndrome advocacy
group, Laura spent three months at Harbor UCLA Hospital
before she and her familywere referred for permanent supportive
housing in The Serra Project's Community Housing Options
at Independent Supported Sites (CHOISS) Program. Prior to
placement, they lived at a local church.
Laura and her
family now live in Pasadena and receive the support they
need to look out for Laura. Theirs is a close-knit family—Josejairo,
her father, is a school photographer; big brother, Andres,
hopes to one day become an aerospace engineer. They are
drawn even closer by their love for Laura and the awe they
have for her tenacity, courage and strength. As her mother,
Adriana, says, "She has taught everyone that the eyes we
have don't see as much as the eyes of the soul she contains."
Laura is a
great talker, a practiced hugger and a special spirit all
around. She leads a full life, attending a special school
in Pasadena and classes at the Braille Institute. On weekends,
she attends a music conservatory and sings in her church
choir. With a buddy at her side, she even plays soccer.
It's not unusual for those with Williams Syndrome to display
keen musical ability and Laura is no exception. Several
years ago, the Make A Wish Foundation made a gift of a piano
to her, and you can often find her at it, composing a song
or playing along to something by one of her favorite singers.
In fact, the remarkable musical and verbal abilities of
children with Williams Syndrome and their tendency to be
very sociable has led to the suggestion that they may once
have been the inspiration for the "wee, magical people"
often depicted as musicians and storytellers in ancient
folktales and legends.
That may be
so, but in Laura's case it's wee magic performed with a
big, brave heart.
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