Timothy Coffey Attorney of Chicago Helps Angelman's Syndrome Foundation
Chicago attorney Timothy Coffey makes it a point to give back to the community every year. He quietly supports a number of worthy organizations, such as the Angelman's Syndrome Foundation (ASF).
Chicago, IL, January 8, 2016 (Newswire.com) - Angelman syndrome (AS) is a genetic disorder, not usually detected until concerned parents ask a physician about developmental delays when their baby is about six to 12-months of age. AS symptoms may include, but not be limited to, difficulty walking, speaking and balancing, neurological issues and possibly seizures. The ASF fund raises to promote research targeting specific genes for treatment. It is a long road to travel and they desperately need funds to move research forward.
Other common signposts of children with AS include unusual behaviors, such as walking with arms uplifted, thrusting out the tongue, stiff/awkward movements, hypopigmentation of the skin, hair and eyes, and a smaller than normal head, flat at the back, often referred to as microbrachycephaly.
I encourage anyone wanting to support those with AF and help fund their research efforts to donate to the ASF.
Timothy Coffey, Attorney
Most children with AS have happy demeanors, excitable personalities, laugh frequently and smile often. If seizures are a part of a child’s medical symptoms, they usually begin between the ages of two and three years old. Although there is no known cure for AS, many with this disability live normal life spans with medical assistance to manage their developmental difficulties and medical issues.
The current protocol for dealing with AS is ensuring the patient receives anti-seizure medication, if needed, participating in physical therapy to assist with movement and walking, behavior therapy to deal with hyperactivity and short attention span, and communication therapy such as sign language. All therapies are specifically geared toward helping the patient live a full life to the best of their abilities.
There is exciting news on the horizon; a possible drug breakthrough is being developed to deal with AS. Agilis Biotherapeutics is developing a new therapy to deliver a corrective UBE3A gene to salvage neurological deficits in AS patients. AGIL-AS (the drug) is the first to be granted Orphan Drug Designation Status by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
Coffey encourages anyone wanting to support those with AF and help fund their research efforts to donate to the ASF. It can be as easy as texting the word Angel on a cellphone: http://www.angelman.org/make-an-impact/ways-to-donate/