Spread Your Wings UK

We are a UK registered charity (1201650) focus on supporting families with Angelman Syndrome, funding research and providing opportunities for physical activity for the Angelman community. Angelman Syndrome (AS) is a rare neurogenetic condition affecting around 1 in 15,000 people, about 500,000 in the world. It affects the nervous system causing severe physical and learning disabilities, little or no speech and issues with movement and balance. A person with Angelman will have near normal life expectancy, but they will require support throughout their life. AS is caused by one of several different types of disruptions of a region of Chromosome 15, all involving a single gene, UBE3A. AS was given its name by a British paediatrician, Harry Angelman, who first identified it in 1965. At first, little was known of the disorder and few other cases were identified. During the 1980s advances in genetic medicine made it possible to diagnose increasing numbers of cases and also to start identifying the cause. The name Angelman Syndrome was adopted in 1982. Most children with Angelman will be able to communicate using gestures, signs or other systems and may have a few words. They have difficulty walking because of poor balance and co-ordination. Seizures, feeding difficulties and poor sleep patterns are all a common feature of Angelman. The most endearing feature though, is their frequent smiling and laughing.