Mom Finds Joy Caring for Daughter with Williams Syndrome

When Pippa sleeps late, Kerrie Franc battles a terrifying thought: she might walk in and find her daughter has stopped breathing. But the 47-year-old Ballarat mom says her 14-year-old, who has Williams syndrome, fills her life with more joy than worry.

Pippa's story started rough. Born at just 2 pounds 7 ounces after stopping growth at 28 weeks, she spent her first three months in and out of hospitals with collapsed lungs and feeding complications.

Kerrie knew something was wrong, but doctors dismissed her concerns and diagnosed her with postnatal depression instead. Hospital nurses had never seen a baby cry as much as Pippa during their two-month stay at a mother-baby unit.

Finally, at 15 months, genetic testing confirmed Williams syndrome, a condition that causes developmental delays, learning challenges, and medical complications. Kerrie felt vindicated but angry that medical professionals hadn't listened sooner.

Those early years brought no joy, just two-hour sleep stretches and guilt over balancing time between Pippa and her older sister Tahlia. Today, life remains hectic with constant vigilance because Pippa has no concept of danger and wants to please everyone to a fault.

Sunny's Take

But here's what makes Kerrie's story remarkable: she wouldn't change a thing. Developmentally about four years old, Pippa means the tooth fairy, Santa, and the Easter Bunny will live in their home forever.

Every milestone, whether standing, walking, or talking, tastes sweeter because Kerrie knows how hard Pippa worked to achieve it. The sweet, kind girl loves music and sings constantly, bringing light to every day.

Kerrie lives with hard realities. She's watched peers lose their children to the same condition and worries about both scenarios: life without Pippa or what happens to Pippa when she's gone.

At 47 with no superannuation and 17 years out of the workforce, Kerrie has given her life to caring for her daughter. She doesn't want Pippa in a group home or becoming a burden on her sister.

The future holds heartache either way, but Kerrie focuses on now. Her baby will always need mom to make sandwiches, help with showers, and get her dressed.

Pippa may grow into a woman's body, but she'll always love The Wiggles and Santa. For Kerrie, that pure joy overrides every worry, every sleepless night, every anxious morning.