My name is Kelli, mother of Lindsay.  My daughter is fifteen years old and has 18p- syndrome.  She was diagnosed at age six, after years of searching out answers to her delays in development.  Her chromosome deletion is small.  However, it has affected her speech and cognitive development.  Her vocabulary is around sixty words and she uses adapted sign language and an augmentative communication device as well as her personality to get her thoughts across!  She experienced mild temporal lobe seizures from time to time, but we are in the process of discontinuing medication.  She is very happy and is always thinking of others.  She gives of herself unselfishly and brightens each day.  She has a younger brother who is eleven and not affected, whom she adores.  She has taught us all patience and the joy of smiling at the little things!