Arianna is recovering from Williams Syndrome

-- by Michelle Gallagher

Our daughter, Arianna was born on August 21, 2003. Her birth was difficult and so were the first days after birth. She was born blue with the cords wrapped twice around her neck. She had trouble "pinking" up and continued to turn blue from the waist down each time she cried. On her second night of life, she wasn't breathing correctly and was admitted into the NICU to be watched more closely. Her nasal passages had swollen so she couldn't breathe through her nose, which is an infants natural way to breathe. Although this problem was easily resolved, a heart murmur was detected. She came home from the hospital and saw the pediatrician the next day. He thought she looked fine but sent us to a cardiologist the same week. The cardiologist told us the murmur was benign but that he wanted to see her every six months, to monitor her heart for changes as she grew. In the months to follow we tried to relax and enjoy our new baby girl but she continued to have other struggles. She wasn't gaining weight, she had refulx, and at 8 weeks of age she still hadn't smiled. Feeling like I couldn't take any more stress and worry I went to see Paul Fraser for an acupuncture treatment to help me get back on my feet. I told him all about what had been going on with Arianna. I expressed how sad I was that she hadn't smiled yet. He explained to me that an infants energy is directly tied to their mothers. He then used Shengong to connect with her through me. During this session Master Ou was treating patients in the next room . Paul explained to me about Shengong and Master Ou. Before I left I made an appointment for Paul to teach me Shengong. When I got home that night Arianna smiled for the first time.

I went to see Paul to learn Shengong (moving form). I had an amazing experience while learning and practicing for the first time. I began to understand so much about my life that I never did before. I felt as though I was receiving answers to many questions without even asking.  After I had learned the form that evening Paul allowed me to ask many questions. There was one question I just HAD to ask . I asked him about the time he treated Arianna through me, I told him of a vision I had during that treatment. The vision was of Paul and Master Ou speaking to each other standing in the middle of a circle. He explained to me about the mystical connection Master Ou has with his students and how during the session Master Ou assisted him with sending Arianna energy. I couldn't believe it although I knew it was true because I had seen it in my vision. I began practicing Shengong daily and treating Arianna on my own. I soon made an appointment for Arianna to have a direct treatment with Master Ou.

Because of Arianna's rough beginning I felt constantly worried. I desperately needed someone to tell me she was o.k. and was going to be o.k. forever. I had hoped Master Ou would be the person to tell me this. During our appointment I told him of Arianna's troubles. He treated her for a short time and then explained to me that her chi was weak and that she had deficits on the left side of her brain. I left devastated and in tears.

Master Ou had told me to practice Shengong on her as much as possible or at least bring her for treatments to Paul more often. I brought her to see Paul monthly for Shengong treatments for sometime. Before we knew it Arianna was turning one. She went to the Pediatrician who showed concern about her development, she was showing mild delays. Next, we were off to see the cardiologist for her one year appointment. The cardiologist suggested Arianna may have a genetic disorder. He based this on the type of heart murmur she has, developmental delays and her facial features. Again, I left in tears.

Two weeks later Arianna had a hernia and required surgery so we planned a day to be spent at Children's Hospital. We saw another cardiologist, geneticist and a surgeon. They drew her blood and tested her for Williams Syndrome - a rare genetic disorder. The doctors said they would be surprised if the test came back positive as her delays were so mild.

Waiting for the results was horrible and during the last week of September we got word - the test was positive. Arianna was diagnosed with Williams Syndrome. We were devastated and in shock. We also felt a sense of relief because now the past year had made sense.

Arianna went back to see Master Ou in the fall. We were able to explain the diagnosis and what it meant. He thought she had improved since he had last seen her. He suggested long distance treatments. We did this for several months. Arianna's development continued to progress at a nice steady level. She did not show many of the other "symptoms" that other children's with Williams Syndrome display.

Arianna saw Master Ou again in the Spring. She seemed to remember him and they enjoyed each others' company. We told Master Ou how well we thought she was doing, her development was close to normal. He said that she was at about 80% of a "typical" child and that with more Shengong she would progress even more. We told him about a clinic we were bringing Arianna to at Children's Hospital. At this clinic she would go through all types of testing medically and developmentally by Williams Syndrome experts. We told Master Ou that we knew the doctors would be impressed with her and that we would write this testimonial to let him know what they said.

WE WERE RIGHT!!! She is doing Fantastic. Each and every doctor/therapist who saw her said she was above average for having Williams Syndrome. Each person individually expressed how impressed they were with her. The physical therapist said they had never seen a child with Williams Syndrome in as such "good shape" as Arianna. Again, I left in tears but this time they were tears of joy.

So here is the testimonial I promised and am thrilled to write. We know Arianna will have challenges in her life because of having Williams Syndrome but we also know that is something that can help her with many of these challenges. We feel like it's our "secret weapon" in helping her have the best life possible. We are eternally grateful for the love , support, and hard work of Master Ou and Paul Fraser.
 

Forever grateful,
The Gallagher Family
Michelle, Tim, Aidan and Arianna

Written in August 2005 by Michelle Gallagher

Updated news for Arianna Gallagher:

"I just wanted to let everyone know that Arianna had her yearly developmental test on November 2 of 2005 and did WONDERFUL!   She was at age level in almost all domains.  I am so proud and happy and grateful to have you all as part of her "team". She certainly wouldn't be doing as well without all the love you have shown to her and our family. " -- Michelle Gallagher

To learn more about Williams Syndrome www.williams-syndrome.org