Serendipity

Ursula Christel’s son has a rare disorder called Angelman syndrome (AS) and Ursula is the co-founder of the International Angelman Day, which is held annually on the 15th February. Families and support organisations around the world use this day to raise awareness for AS.

Ursula shares this incredible story, “This year, I woke up on the 16th of February to a message from a fellow Angelman-mum in Ireland, who I didn't know. She explained that her sister lives in New Zealand and was visiting the New Zealand Portrait Gallery in Wellington. She told me, "They saw your beautiful painting in an art gallery, and before they even read the information beside it, they said how Angelman-like it was. No surprise then when they realised it was a painting of your son who has AS. They sent me a photo of it. It's absolutely beautiful and so captures the spirit of AS. "She then sent me the photo she had received and we discovered our sons were the same age. My painting, titled "isos", had been purchased by a private collector last year, so I wasn't involved with its display at the gallery. I was completely blown away by this incredible serendipity”!