Commending the International Rett Syndrome Foundation.

Commending the International Rett Syndrome Foundation.
Agreed to by the House of Delegates, February 16, 2026
WHEREAS, the International Rett Syndrome Foundation is the leading research, family support, and advocacy organization for individuals with Rett syndrome, working to address the full spectrum of the disorder while providing a voice for patients and their families; and
WHEREAS, Rett syndrome is a rare postnatal genetic neurological disorder that almost exclusively affects young girls and causes impairments in the development of speech and coordination, as well as other symptoms and complications; and
WHEREAS, symptoms of Rett syndrome typically begin to appear in infants and toddlers between the ages of six and 18 months, followed by a period of regression when motor skills are gradually lost over time; and
WHEREAS, more than half of those diagnosed with Rett syndrome lose their ability to walk, and many suffer from impairments such as loss of speech, seizures, scoliosis, and irregular breathing patterns; one of the most distinctive signs of Rett syndrome is near constant repetitive hand movements while awake; and
WHEREAS, individuals with Rett syndrome require extensive support and assistance with daily tasks throughout their lives; and
WHEREAS, scientists first discovered the gene that causes Rett syndrome in 1999, but there is currently no known cure for the condition, and treatment is generally focused on addressing symptoms; and
WHEREAS, the first U.S. Food and Drug Administration-approved treatment for Rett syndrome launched in 2023, and biomedical research now suggests that neurological symptoms may be reversed even decades after diagnosis; and
WHEREAS, every October, the International Rett Syndrome Foundation commemorates Rett Syndrome Awareness Month, which provides an occasion for Virginians to learn more about this serious and life-changing condition, support vital research, and seek opportunities to enhance the lives of people with Rett syndrome; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED by the House of Delegates, That the International Rett Syndrome Foundation hereby be commended for its achievements on behalf of individuals with Rett syndrome and their families; and, be it
RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the House of Delegates prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to the International Rett Syndrome Foundation as an expression of the House of Delegates' admiration for the organization's ongoing work to promote the health and wellness of Virginians.