A big thank you goes out to Wonk!

[nuxvomica]

I posted earlier this week about a segment on 60 Minutes on Williams Syndrome that featured my brother Mike. Unfortunately, the segment was opposite Al Sharpton's speech at the DNC so folks may have missed it but at Nothingshocksmeanymore's suggestion and on little advance notice, Wonk captured a Quicktime movie version of the segment and has made it available. It's 32MB, which is more than I can host, so if you want to see it, PM me and I'll give you the link.

This thread is not so much to tell you about Williams Syndrome -- though if you have questions, fire away -- but to publicly thank Wonk for his efforts and to remind everyone what a kind and resourceful bunch we have here at Democratic Underground. :-)

Here's the original post in the archive:
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=105x1461197

Oh, and here's a shot of my bro during the Safer interview:

[nothingshocksmeanymore]

1. I'd like to see it

and I posted it here to keep this kicked

And a :toast: to Wonk who is always so helpful and generous in these matters

[nuxvomica]

5. I just sent you the link

Thanks for making the suggestion, too. :-)

[papau]

2. I saw it - and your brother has a great sense of humor!

:-)

[nuxvomica]

6. I must make one correction to the seqment

My brother doesn't actually get lost when he goes out of the house. He just has to talk to everyone he meets and so he doesn't always return as soon as he's expected.

[Mika]

3. Agreed. Wonk is a DU treasure indeed.

Three cheers for Wonk.. :party: :party: :party:

And a toast too. :toast:

[Mara Steele]

4. Kick...

:kick:

[givemebackmycountry]

7. I TIVO'ed it and I have watched it several times -

I love it when Mike sings "60 minute man".

If only everybody was as warm and open and happy and friendly as the people who were highlighted in this piece.

What a wonderful world it would be!

"Who are you"?
"My names Morley"
"Hi Morley"!

[nuxvomica]

8. Some background...

Mike is 46 now. We didn't know he had Williams Syndrome till some time in the mid-90s when I read a Discover article on the subject. The gregariousness and the physical features are what convinced me. A DNA test years later confirmed it without a doubt.

Williams Syndrome was named after a cardiologist who found common behavioral characteristics and appearance in patients with a certain heart valve deformity. This deformity can have serious health implications and it affects most WS people but my brother, thankfully, has no sign of it. No one knows why.