Welcome to the homepage of the Williams (- Beuren -) Syndrome parent support group for the region of South- Bavaria (around Munich ).
We regret, but most of the information offered on these pages (especially information about the Williams-Beuren Syndrome) is not available in the  English language, but there are many helpful links to other pages which cover similar information in English (and some photographs ), so please do take a look at those.

About Gesa
The representatives of the  South-Bavaria regional parents group, Benedita Frericks and Horst Romm, are parents of two girls, born in 1992 and 1995 and live in a small town called Garching . The younger daughter Gesa was diagnosed with Williams Syndrome when she was 3 months old because of a heart murmur. The FISH-Test was done when she was 1 year old. During the following years, she developed many characteristics typical of the syndrome. At the age of  3 years Gesa entered Kindergarten.  This experience gave her the last important developmental kick before she  started walking and talking  (Her first sentence was: "I do it!"- a good start towards independence for her, but sometimes not so easy for us). She loves to go to kindergarten and enjoys the company of  her teaches and they love her.  Gesa is a joy to be with, she is  very charming combined with a wonderful sense of humour.

The "Bundesverband Williams Beuren Syndrom (WBS) e.V."
 The German Williams Syndrome Association "Bundesverband Williams-Beuren- Syndrom " was formed in 1989 by and for families of individuals with Williams-Beuren Syndrome. Until now the organisation has been and remains to be  managed only by volunteers and the membership numbers have risen from 39 to about 450 families, who are presently members. The Bundesverband WBS is accepted as a non-profit , tax exempt corporation and consist of 12 regional sections. Every three years a national convention is organised (the next will be held from the  6. until the 8. of June 2008 in Kirchheim, Hessen). 2-3 times a year  the Bundesverband WBS (German Williams Syndrome Association) publishes a newsletter, called the "UMSCHAU" , describing its most recent activities, as well as covering  article reviews, comments and contributions from parents.  There also exists a close co-operation between the Bundesverband WBS and a scientific board.

The mission of the "Bundesverband Williams-Beuren-Syndrom" is:
- to mediate the contact between the families,
- to support the families in all situations which have to do with the Syndrome,
- to increase the awareness and information about Williams-Beuren Syndrome,
- to support the scientific board,
- to support the families, if necessary, with the help of psychological and legal
  professionals.