It seems as though it was just yesterday when I last approached you for support of our family and the 2007 Angelman Walk-A-Thon.  It’s hard to believe we will soon be participating in our fourth walk! 
    Emma continues to amaze us with her tenacity, determination, and desire to accomplish new skills.  She now walks with the assistance of a walker at school and we recently obtained a walker for her use at home.  However, she still prefers to walk holding Grandpa’s, Mom’s, or Dad’s hand…and she’s even graduated to just needing one hand held!  Whoohooo!!  Emma has also started four-point crawling, a sign that our girl is mastering the skills she’ll need to be able to take off and walk on her own.  She chatters constantly, and, on occasion will say “hi” to people when they enter a room.  There have been times when I know she’s giving us tongue-lashings…quite expressive with her facial expressions, tone of voice, and gestures.  Emma definitely has a way of getting her point across! 
    As always, Emma is a source of inspiration to those who know her.  She greets her family and each day with a smile and joy for life that is unbelievable.  Emma knows no strangers and greets all with a smile and a wave.  She is truly an awesome little girl!
   I am once again approaching you to ask for sponsorship for the Walk-A-Thon.  We will be walking in San Diego, California on May 17th.  The funds raised from the walk will be used for research to help enrich the lives of Angels and their families.  The funds raised allow researchers to continue in their efforts to understand the causes of Angelmans, work on the development of  new and improved treatments, and, hopefully, find a cure. In 2007, the Angelman Syndrome Foundation was able to award over $800,000 in research grants! Through your donation, you will be making a difference in Emma’s life and that of thousands of other Angels and for that we are truly grateful.