One Christmas Without Knowing

“I am so thankful that we had that one Christmas without knowing…” Jill Wood.When Jill’s son Jonah was born, there was no sign that he was anything but adorable. However, at his 1-year visit, his pediatrician noted Jonah’s larger than normal head and several other symptoms. He connected the dots and ordered further testing. Eventually Jonah was diagnosed with Sanfilippo Syndrome or mucopolysaccharidosis type III (MPS III). Jill began connecting with other Sanfilippo families and eventually started a company to search for treatments. She found along the way that she could find support from willing researchers, win grants from the National Science Foundation, and even overcome language barriers to reach families around the world. She has made great progress and is very grateful for all the help she has received. As you can imagine, Jill is very energetic. Her story is inspiring and educational. Her main piece of advice to newly diagnosed parents, “Take a deep breath and calm down. Appreciate your child.”