Tip of the Week: In her words

 

Annika approaches everything in her life with energy and enthusiasm. She laughs easily and often and is always the first one in line! When Annika first came to Latham School just over a year ago, there were big challenges that we needed to work on. As 2017 came to a close, we sat down together to talk about the year ahead and how those big challenges weren’t so big anymore. Here is the unedited conversation between me and my favorite “almost eleven” year old:

Patrice: What will be the best thing about 2018?

Annika: I’m turning 11! When you’re 11 you’re smart and fun and you’re a good friend.

Patrice: Do you know that you’re already all of those things that you just listed?

Annika: Yeah, but when you’re 11 you’re even more.

Patrice: Well I liked you at 10 so it sounds like I’ll really like you at 11.

Annika: You will! And when you’re 11 you can watch R rated movies.

Patrice: No you can’t.

Annika: Can’t you make that happen?

Patrice: Nope.

Annika: Well it’s still going to be great.

Patrice: You have made so much progress since you’ve come here.

Annika: I know!

Patrice: What do you think is the biggest change in you?

Annika: I don’t run away.

Patrice: Why do you think that is?

Annika: I like being here.

And there it was. The best thing I had heard in all of 2017. Annika and I hope that you have an amazing new year and that it’s filled with all the excitement of turning 11!

 

 

Patrice Carroll is Latham Centers’ world-renowned Prader-Willi Syndrome specialist. She works with Latham Centers’ residents with PWS, their families, and consultants, continuously learning and teaching about PWS best practices.