Family Focus

We are a community and family is our base unit. We want to pay tribute to all the Rett families who fight Rett challenges every day. Here we will be sharing stories from families across Europe about their experiences of life with Rett syndrome. We hope you will find them inspiring, heart warming and moving. We also hope you will feel you are not alone in dealing with the challenges that this devastating disorder presents everyday. Together we are stronger.

If you would like to contribute a story to be shared here, please email info@rettsyndrome.eu . Please try to keep it around 1 page or 400 words, English is preferable but we can translate some languages if needed (German, French, Spanish, Portuguese, Dutch, Turkish or Russian). Please also send us up to 3 horizontal photos in high resolution that fit with the story. Please make sure you have permission from whoever is in the photo before sharing it with us as it will be used on the web site and on our social media platforms.

Thank you and we look forward to receiving your stories!


Family Focus – Niki Konstaninou Without Wings
Many thanks to Niki and Petros who live in Cyprus for sharing their wonderful story. Niki-Konstaninou-Without-wingsDownload
Mum in Zurich Shares her Inspirational Story
Becky Jenner, President, had the pleasure of meeting Julia Ramlogan a couple of years ago when Julia launched her new organisation to raise awareness and help progress towards a cure. We are delighted to share …
New book for children about Rett syndrome!
  Ever since Rett syndrome stole Angelina's ability to walk, talk and communicate I've asked myself daily, What is she thinking? How is she feeling about this or that? She's always been very expressive and …
Live with Rett – a honest, from the heart account.
Many thanks to Mel Lancaster, USA, for sharing her very honest thoughts on the impact of Rett syndrome for all the family. 'Someone asked me recently, “What is the meaning of all this suffering?” Make …
#EyeCanTalk – Ruth and her supportive environment
We are delighted to share another beautiful example of the importance and power of AAC. Ruth is a wonderful young lady from Belgium who enjoys her moments of communication so much! There is not a …
#EyeCanTalk – Johanna and Our Experience with Tobii
Continuing our Rett Syndrome and AAC Awareness Month campaign, we are honoured to share the experience of Johanna´s family and their journey with joys and challenges in their use of the Tobii device. Please join …
Eye Got the Power: Milestones and Miracles in Our Rett Family’s Communication Journey
By Usree Bhattacharya It is poignant to me that the only video I have of my little girl, Kalika, speaking by mouth is the one in which she repeats after me: “I. Love. You.” When …
What to do with therapy-resistant epilepsy – Katharina’s way
Katharina is now 14 ½ years old and has been epileptic since the age of three. In the beginning, the epileptic seizures manifested themselves at long intervals and were somewhat under control with medication. However, …
How AI-Learners Can Help Kids with Rett Syndrome Learn Math
Adele Smolansky is a Guest Blogger and a senior studying Computer Science at Cornell University. She is also a sister to Lara who has Rett Syndrome, and the founder of an educational technology start-up that …
Extraordinary Matteo
I came into the world on an afternoon in May 2018. May, the 1st to be exact. No Labor Day for my parents that year.  After a rough arrival, I extended my stay at the …
Apolline and Education
Hello, my name is Alice Seror. I am the mother of Apolline who is 6 years old. We live in the south of France with her dad and her little brother. What age did your …
Mille’s Secret World: Living with Rett Syndrome
A delightful new video about living with Rett syndrome. Mille and her mum Susanne live in Denmark. Many to them both for sharing their story in such a positive way. Despite the shock and devastation …
Inna´s victory
Inna is 9 years old and lives in France with her family. Her mother, Elsa Delhelle Gasnier, says that since Inna was diagnosed with Rett syndrome, their family schedule got filled with never ending medical …
Hello Camille!
In the second of our Family Focus features, Laetitia and Nicolas from Belgium, share their story about new diagnosis and how meeting a family who were so positive really helped in those early days. ‘Since …
Meet Ann Charlotte…
Ann-Charlotte is 73 years old and lives in Sweden. Many thanks to Ann-Charlotte, her family and Helena Wandin at The National Rett Centre in Sweden for permission to share this story in the first of …
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