I have been doing research on language development in Williams syndrome (WS), a rare genetic disorder, for more than a decade now, primarily in the US and the UK. However, this disorder is almost unknown in the countries of the former Yugoslavia, where I'm from. When visiting Serbia 3 years ago, I identified several adults - completely by chance - who did not know they had WS and never got appropriate help for the medical issues that accompany WS, as the medical professionals were unaware of it. Since then, I have helped establish the first association for people with WS in the Balkans: please visit us at www.vilijamsovsindrom.com I have met dozens of lovely children, young adults and their families from Serbia, Montenegro and Bosnia who rely on our support. The UK WS Foundation has provided us with medical documents containing crucial information for parents and medical professionals which we have translated and sent to all our families. We are now applying for funding to organise workshops and raise awareness of WS in the region. It is important for our members to get connected with other families - locally and in Europe - they have a talent for languages! - so as part of the European Association for Williams Syndrome (FEWS) we have been invited to the UK WS convention and their camp which is taking place in Skegness in May 2018.

Here are pictures of Jelena from Belgrade with her mum, and Marko from Novi Sad with his teacher and myself. See also a story about Jelena on RTS2 where I feature for a few minutes! THANK YOU - HVALA!! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nXCTW5rkEus