A WOMAN with a rare genetic condition hosted an awareness day in Crewkerne on Saturday in a bid to tackle prejudice.

Debbie Jackson, aged 29, wanted to make the community aware that Williams syndrome is a disability, as opposed to a disease, to overcome prejudice. This can stem from people's reaction to her physical characteristics. These include walking and talking slower than most people.

She organised the event at Crewkerne Community Church, Barn Street, with help from support organisation Somerset Opportunity Works based in the town.

Miss Jackson of Crewkerne said: "People have bullied me and called names all my life, but I am a human being. I want to let people know about the disability and stop the prejudice."

Syndrome sufferers are missing part of chromosome seven, including a gene that makes protein elastin, which provides strength and elasticity to vessel walls. For Miss Jackson, it means living with problems including tiredness, dizziness, headaches, vomiting and fear of sudden loud noises.

Speaking to a small audience about the syndrome at the awareness day was a huge step for her, because she was too shy to talk to strangers before she moved to Crewkerne two years ago and joined Somerset Opportunity Works last autumn.

She said: "People with Williams syndrome are very frightened of sudden noises. For me as a child it was two things; one was fireworks. I used to get very distressed by the sound. I would hide under the bedclothes and shake and cry.

"I can now go out with friends on bonfire night and not get too distressed. The reason is I say to myself, 'No noise can hurt or harm me, it is just a sound'."

As well as hearing two ten-minute speeches from Miss Jackson, guests were able to watch a video about the syndrome, read leaflets and tuck into cakes in return for a donation.There was also a fund-raising raffle.

Moving to Somerset from Leicester has been life-changing for Miss Jackson, who said: "I love living in Crewkerne. It is much better than Leicester. It is just the community spirit, people say hello to each other. In Leicester, nobody asks you how you are and I used to struggle with crowds there."

Joining Somerset Opportunity Works, a support network for vulnerable people and those with disabilities, has helped her develop life skills through monthly workshops.

She says volunteering with activities such as litter picking at the monthly Crewkerne Trash Bash and tending to flowerbeds outside Crewkerne Aqua Centre is great therapy.

"I have found people throughout my life have said you can't do things, but I pick up litter off the floor. I can do it.

"People think you can't do anything and it is really frustrating for me."

Miss Jackson also volunteers an hour each week cleaning at Yeovil Community Church, she is learning to play the guitar, making more friends of her own age and developing cooking skills ready for the day when she hopes she can to live on her own. She is also determined to carry on raising awareness of Williams syndrome.

People are invited to a Somerset Opportunity Works awareness night on Friday 29 May from 7pm at Crewkerne Community Church, and the organisation also needs volunteers and donations. Anyone wishing to get involved can email sowsmrinfectious@aol.com