6 years ago, my oldest cousin Heather was pregnant. She was expecting her second child (also her second son). After nine months of pregnancy, she gave birth to a premature baby who, as she would find out, had many health implications. Her son, and my second cousin, was named Reed. His health issues ranged from developmental delays to cardiovascular problems and other life-threatening matters. After months of doctor appointments and medical tests, Reed was diagnosed with Williams Syndrome. Williams Syndrome is a rare genetic condition that comes with these issues previously mentioned, but is also associated with extremely social personalities and a love for music. As Reed grew older and older, this was piercingly clear. He would talk to anyone he saw–no matter where, what race, what age–and his tune was amazing. As interesting as I find the harmful issues that come with Williams Syndrome, I’m more interested in the benefits and gains that are associated with it.
How can a genetic condition produce something as odd as an inclination to music?
A study was conducted by professors at the University of Connecticut to figure this out. They invited 16 individuals with Williams Syndrome to participate in a program called Music & Minds to help enrich and study these musical talents. What they found was that 10 of the participants had mid- to high-level skill and potential with music and that 94% of the participants demonstrated an overall gain in comprehension. My cousin Reed is definitely one with this positive impact in his life. He is extremely into music, holding a tune before he could even speak a whole sentence. I believe that the music involvement is also part of the reason that these people with Williams Syndrome have such social personalities. 
Here is my cousin, Reed. He is (obviously) happy in this picture, and in life in general. His social abilities are impeccable, talking to anyone in sight. Music most likely does strengthen social bonds, giving us an oxytocin boost which is known to play an important role in increasing bonding between people. This quite possibly impacts why those with Williams are so social.
Although Williams Syndrome has negatively affected Reed in so many ways, it has also blessed him with this amazing talent. Yes, rare genetic conditions are normally associated with lots of setbacks. However, this unique quality is something that really should be valued above that.
Very interesting blog about Williams Syndrome. I never realized that a genetic disorder could cause someone to have such a talent for music and also allow them to talk to basically anyone. I have heard of types of autism that give people amazing memory and other interesting atributes. A man with autism called Stephen Wiltshire has such an amazing memory that he can see an entire city skyline just once and then draw the whole thing from memory. What an amazing talent, don’t you think?
Your cousins story is very inspiring. I hope that one day he will be able to inform others of his story and be an advocate for Williams Syndrome. I have never heard of this disease and it was very interesting to learn about. To think that a person who has such negative impacts on life can still be happy and find the positives and embrace them. It is amazing to think that there can be light at the end of the tunnel and this boy found it already. I do agree with the cvp5306 in that maybe looking into music therapy and and other studies to better your understanding and outlook on his possibilities, they really are endless!
This is a wonderful article. As a music lover and choir geek I love to here stories like this one.
Although your article is about one specific genetic disorder you should think about looking into the benefits of music therapy with other people not even necessarily children with a disorder. I believe the power of music is unlike anything in the world. It is a universal language and one that everyone already has in side of them in one shape or another.
I would encourage you to look into different types of music theory and look at studies and how it can benefit the general population!
Great story I really enjoyed reading it!!