For the past four years, Maggie Dennis Wurm (Class of ’88) and her family have been living with her daughter’s medical condition. Madasyn Wurm has Rett Syndrome, a developmental disorder that impairs brain function, and affects learning, mood, movement, speech, sensation, and even basic functions like breathing, chewing, swallowing, and digestion. Rett Syndrome is caused by a chromosomal mutation, and strikes children of all racial and ethnic groups, but it most often affects girls. Maggie has been a vocal crusader in several events organized to spread awareness of the disorder, and raise money to find a cure. Her most recent effort is to support a letter-writing campaign to Oprah.
Rett Syndrome is one of the most misdiagnosed disorders found in children. Doctors often mistake the symptoms for everything from autism to cerebral palsy. One of the telltale signs of Rett Syndrome is that children afflicted with it do not speak, leading advocates and parents to refer to children with the disorder as “silent angels.” Because their children cannot speak, they can’t explain what they’re going through, how they feel, when they’re in pain, or even ask for what they need. It’s up to their parents to speak for them.
Maggie has taken on that task with a tireless passion. She helps organize fundraising events. She solicits donations from supporters. And every day, she cares for her daughter, striving to make her life as comfortable and enjoyable as possible. Last year, she even used Facebook to rally her fellow Rota Admirals, raising money and support for the International Rett Syndrome Foundation’s annual Strollathon. Now she’s asking for help to enlist Oprah’s support.
October is Rett Syndrome Awareness Month. If you’d like to help, it only takes is a few minutes to jot down a few words, put the letter in an envelope, stamp it, and mail it. All the letter has to include is a polite request that Oprah consider offering her assistance in raising awareness of Rett Syndrome. If you’re willing to help, please send your letter to either of the addresses below:
OSSA
PO BOX 271002
Littleton, CO 80127
OSSA
c/o Charmain Contreras
PO Box 331
Midlothian, IL 60445
The letters will be delivered to the Oprah show in Chicago on October 25 by the Rett Rig, so be sure to send your letter with enough time to be included in this effort. You’ll be helping a fellow Rota Admiral, but more importantly, you’ll be lending your voice to the many children with Rett Syndrome who cannot speak for themselves—like Madasyn.
