WDSSG Newsletters

Issue 40 – May 2020

From the Chair, Lives on Lockdown

Download Issue 40 Summer life on lockdown edition 2020 PDF opens in new page.

Issue 39 – April 2019

From the chairman,  Family Day 2019, Money Matters

Download: Issue 39  Easter 2019, PDF opens in new page.

Issue 38 – December 2018

From the chairman,  Family Day 2019, Money Matters

Download: Issue 38 Christmas 2018, PDF opens in new page.

Issue 37 – December 2017

From the chairman,  Fab Fundraising, Research and member stories

Download: Issue 37  Christmas 2017, PDF opens in new page.

Issue 36 – December 2016

Family Day 2016,  Fab Fundraising, Next Years AGM and Scope campaign ‘End the Awkward’

Download: Issue-36 Christmas 2016, PDF opens in new page.

 Issue 35 – December 2015

 Family day 2015, Your Membership

Download: Issue 35 Christmas  2015, PDF opens in new page.

Issue 34 – January 2015

New committee members – A weekend away – Christmas cards

Download: Issue 34 Christmas  2014 , PDF opens in new page.

Issue 33 – October 2014

Questions and Answers on Genetics, Epilepsy and Brain Scans, Speech Language and Feeding Issues and Diagnosis. Reports on the Family Day and Fundraising news.

Download: Issue 33 Summer 14, PDF opens in new page.

Issue 32 – April 2014

Family Day Agenda at Thames Valley Adventure Playground

Download: Issue 32  Spring 2014, PDF opens in new page.

Issue 31 – December 2013

Member memories, Out and About – Your stories about going on holiday, A New Research Project.

Download: Issue 31 Christmas 2013 , PDF opens in new page.

Issue 30 – April 2013

Books we love, Family Day, Money Matters, Universal Credit, Give as You Live

Download: Issue 30 Spring 2013, PDF opens in new page.

Issue 29 – December 2012

Money Matters: A guide to Personal Independence Payment Member Spotlight Family Day plans

Download: Issue 29 Christmas 2012, PDF opens in new page.

Issue 28 – August 2012

Family Day Feature: Singing Hands, Feedback, Celebrations, I Can, MyChoice Pad, Some food for thought, Fabulous Fundraising

Download: Issue 28 Summer 2012, PDF opens in new page.

Issue 27 – March 2012

Message from the Chair, Family Day Agenda, WDSSG on Facebook, MyChoidPad iPad app, Fundraising news – Just Walk 2012

Download:Issue 27 Spring 2012, PDF opens in new page.

Issue 26 – May 2011

Family Day, Joy of Sound, Jugglers – Doug and Thom, Hello – The National Year of Communication, Ice-breaker Discussion Groups, Money Matters

Download: Issue 26 Spring 2011, PDF opens in new page.

Issue 25 – December 2010

From the Chair, Member Profile: Bethany Woods, My Pregnancy and WDS, Money Matters

Download: Issue 25 Christmas 2010, PDF opens in new page.

Issue 24 – February 2010

Family Day Feature, Fabulous Fundraising, From the Chair

Download: Issue 24  Summer 2010, PDF opens in new page.

Issue 23 – April 2010

From the Chair – Where are we? Children’s Dental Care, Family Day, Singing Hands, Money Matters.

Download: Issue 23 Spring 2010, PDF opens in new page.

Issue 22 – January 2010

Introducing the new committee, No Voice – No Choice, Family Day, Members Links – A Day in London, Useful web links.

Download: Issue 22 Christmas 2009, PDF opens in new page.

Issue 21 – September 2009

More volunteers please!, What are support plans and how they can help you.

Download: Issue 21 Summer 2009, PDF opens in new page.

Issue 20 – March 2007

Advice on preparing a transition plan. If you are aged 13 and above and have an Education Statement then by law it is your right to a transition plan. Connor tells us his story in his own words. Jaqueline Leech describes Chrisophers journey of finding suitable education support.New on the next upcoming Family Day and a proposed timetable. Thomas visits the Orthodontist.

Download: Issue 20 Spring 2007, PDF opens in new page.

Issue 19 – October 2006

Information on Positive Aspects – a newsletter for anyone with an interest in any disability. Jack Fullerton’s story. Information about BDF Newlife – a charity focusing on inborn conditions.

Download: Issue 19 Autumn 2006, PDF opens in new page.

Issue 18 – February 2006

A round-up of the committee members and a report from the group’s National Contact with statistics about the spread of families around the country. An introduction to the new web forum for the group and an article from John and Vanessa about their son Martin and his future after college.

Download: Issue 18 Spring 2006, PDF opens in new page.

Issue 17 – August 2005

Report on the 2005 AGM/Fun Day at Coram’s Field with a big thanks to those who helped make it happen. There is a transcript of the Q&A session with Professor Brian Neville, Maria Clark and Nicola Jolleff. Finally there is information on Person Centred Planning and Circles of Support and the results of the questionnaire on drooling.

Download: Issue 17 Summer 2005, PDF opens in new page.

Issue 16 – April 2005

Details on the current committee and the minutes from the AGM at London Zoo 2004. Mark Mayer tells his story of growing up with WDS and details of the upcoming AGM at Coram Fields.

Download: Issue 16 Spring 2015, PDF opens in new page.

Issue 15 – October 2004

Family Day 2004 at London Zoo report and answers to the Q&A session held there. News on the first group Professional Day organised by Professor Neville and the National Contact’s report for 2003 – 2004. An article on Elliot and the systems he uses for communication.

Download: Issue 15 Autumn 2004, PDF opens in new page.

Issue 14 – April 2004

Preparations for the Family Fun Day at London Zoo and fundraising news. Useful links and resources including the Family Trust and Special Abilities Ltd.

Download: Issue 14 , PDF opens in new page.

Issue 13 – September 2003

News on the recently held AGM/Teddy Bears Picnic and an article by the Sibling Support Project which informs parents and carers on a sibling’s point of view. Donna describes her experiences of having two children with WDS – Jake and Ruby.

Download: Issue 13 , PDF opens in new page.

Issue 12 – June 2003

Feedback on the Flora Light Challenge and money raised for the group. Details on a charity providing customised bikes for children and an article by Sheena Reilly on why children with WDS have difficulty eating and drinking.

Download: Issue 12 , PDF opens in new page.

Issue 11 – January 2003

Useful links and resources and the agenda for the next Family Day and AGM at Stourbridge. The personal journey of Zachary and a message from Contact a Family.

Download: Issue 11 , PDF opens in new page.

Issue 10 – August 2002

Report on the Fun Day at London Zoo and the accompanying Question and Answer session. A research update by Dr Maria Clark and an introduction to all the committee. The story of Stian from Norway.

Download: Issue 10 , PDF opens in new page.

Issue 9 – February 2002

Contact a Family launches a phone helpline and news from New Zealand. Arrangements for Family Day 2003 at London Zoo.

Download: Issue 9 , PDF opens in new page.

Issue 8 – June 2001

News on a party for children who took part in the research at Great Ormond Street. Judith Melunsky tells how diet might be effecting her son Sam. Registering for Charity status and what that would mean for the group. Elliot’s story.

Download: Issue 8 , PDF opens in new page.

Issue 7 – April 2001

Thomas’ story continues. Symptons of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder and a report from the parents of a child with WDS in New Zealand. Information on benefits.

Download: Issue 7 PDF

Issue 6 – February 2001

Andrew and Karen Hinks continue Thomas’ Story. An extract from a review of 47 cases of children with WDS.

Download: Issue 6 , PDF opens in new page.

Issue 5 – July 2000

Dolphin Human Therapy and a report from the National Contact. Andrew and Karen Hinks tell of their experiences bringing up Thomas.

Download: Issue 5 , PDF opens in new page.

Issue 4 – November 1999

Launch of the online Contact A Family Directory and arrangements for the next Family Day in October. A report from the Rare Disorders Alliance-UK.

Download: Issue 4 , PDF opens in new page.

Issue 3 – November 1999

Report on the Family Day and the new logo chosen for the group. Living with an AAC user from a parent’s perspective.

Download: Issue 3  , PDF opens in new page.

Issue 2 – October 1998

WDS on the World Wide Web for the first time and a report from the Rare Disorders Alliance UK.

Download: Issue 2 , PDF opens in new page.

Issue 1 – May 1998

The very first newsletter. An introduction to who’s on the committee, and where the acronym WORDS comes from.

Download: Issue 1 , PDF opens in new page.