Rachel Marie Stroud, 7 years old in this picture, was diagnosed with WS through a FISH test when she was 6 months old. A heart murmur lead to the FISH testing.

She is the youngest of the Stroud family (parents Todd & Sheila, brothers Jeremy-24, J.T.-19, Robbie-17) and has each member wrapped around her finger!

Rachel loves to go to school, attend parties, watch PBS Kids TV, jump on her trampoline, eat pizza, and play with her dogs. She repeated Kindergarten and is entering the 2^nd grade this year (2007). She continues to learn so many new things. A true social butterfly, she knows all her classmates' names, teachers, school personnel and some parents and engages them in conversation on her way in and her way out of school each day.

We are enjoying watching her grow - she is a real charmer! We would love to hear from other families with WS children especially those nearest the Gastonia, NC area. You can reach us at triplestroud@hotmail.com.