The Birch Family: Normal is Boring

Our family is for all the misfits. The people who were born different. The ones who stand out from the crowd and see things differently. While some may see them as weirdos, we see something beautiful. Embrace what makes you unique, because life is too short to be “normal.” – Birch Family

ARTICLE BY MEREDITH MCKINNIE
PHOTOGRAPHY BY KELLY MOORE CLARK
LIFESTYLE IMAGES PROVIDED BY VICTORIA BIRCH

THE BIRCH FAMILY RADIATES confidence and positivity. Victoria Birch and her sister Alexandra are two peas in pod. They live life to the fullest, choosing to embrace challenges as room to grow and enrich the lives of others. Victoria struggled with anxiety and depression, and in the midst of her suffering, she chose to look outward. She began making videos and posting on social media. She longed to know, “Are there other people like me?” One day, her mother Kim suggested she feature her little sister Alexandra in the videos, and the people responded. The sisters’ dynamic is playful, loving, genuine, and exhibits the core of human connection. What started as videos to raise awareness of Alexandra’s condition quickly evolved into an online business and a community for those longing to belong.

Kim noticed something was different about Alexandra the moment she was born. Arriving premature, Alexandra was slower to reach significant milestones. As a newborn, she jutted her tongue rapidly out of her mouth like a snake and hopped on her knees instead of ever learning to crawl. Having Victoria four years prior, Kim knew Alexandra’s behavior was out of the ordinary. When Kim was attending a meeting, she overheard a woman talking about her daughter having William’s Syndrome. Kim immediately recognized the signs. She politely interrupted the woman’s conversation and insisted, “That’s what my daughter has!” The woman assured her it wasn’t possible, as William’s Syndrome is only detected in 1 of every 10,000 births. A genetic test confirmed Kim’s suspicions, as Alexandra was missing the 7th chromosome indicative of the disorder. Kim remembers feeling like the wind was knocked out of her. The confirmation, though expected, was difficult to bear. Kim took Alexandra to The Boston Children’s Hospital where a specialized team focused on the diagnosis and care of children with William’s Syndrome.

Kim spent the entire trip north feeling sorry for herself and Alexandra. Entering that hospital and seeing all the children and families affected by William’s Syndrome humbled Kim and made her count her blessings. She met kids much worse off than Alexandra, and she knew she wasn’t alone in this. Kim’s expectations had to shift. All parents want the best for their children, and have a vision of perfection. Kim knew Alexandra would never live independently, probably not be invited to birthday parties and revel in the “normal” routines of childhood. Kids can be cruel, and her daughter was so innocent and trusting. As lovable and social as Alexandra was, many people would define her by her limitations instead of her strengths.

William’s Syndrome is somewhat comparable to the more common diagnosis of Down Syndrome. William’s patients usually have tiny frames and specific facial features. Many experience cardiac issues as a result, but so far Alexandra has avoided any heart problems. They lead with their emotions and feel deeply for others. Alexandra expresses unconditional love. In elementary school, Alexandra had a crush on a little boy who was “dating” another girl in her class. At a family function, Alexandra heard the two had “broken up.” Later in the car, Kim asked Alexandra, “Are you happy they broke up?” Her daughter paused, looked at Kim, and said, “No, my heart is broken for her.” Alexandra’s selflessness is innate; she feels for others without considering herself. She knows no other way.

After elementary school, Alexandra’s mom chose to homeschool her. She had trouble making friends her age. When she was hurt for not being accepted, the family would talk Alexandra through it, but ultimately chose a safer environment for their daughter. Kim decided early on that the idea she had for her daughter’s life would be much different. She decided she wouldn’t live focused on what they couldn’t do, but rather explore new options. They would march to a different beat and find blessings in other places. When we focus on the negative, it manifests itself, and the Birch Family, instead, finds “little happies” every day. Alexandra’s personal milestones occurred much later, and so little things became big things. Alexandra’s kindness radiates more than anything else. When Alexandra was younger, she enrolled her in dance class because those with William’s Syndrome love music and movement. One of the other little girl’s mothers was a quadruple amputee in a wheelchair. She sat in the corner, and few people interacted with her, probably out of fear of making an ignorant comment. When Alexandra spotted the woman, she immediately ran up to her chair, reached out, and exclaimed, “You are so beautiful with no arms and legs.” The woman smiled and appreciated the acknowledgment, as so many people choose to ignore her presence. Alexandra says what she feels when she feels it, and her innocence is genuine and from the heart.

Victoria feels blessed to be raised alongside Alexandra, and the twosome depend on one another for emotional support. Kim’s honesty about Alexandra’s condition early on ensured Victoria’s wholehearted involvement in her upbringing. Like her mother, Victoria looks at Alexandra and focuses on her positivity and feels compelled to protect her innocence. The older sister role is magnified, as Alexandra’s independence slowly evolves and may never fully be realized. Victoria struggled with anxiety and depression in her 20s, and rather than just sitting in her misery, she chose to be proactive. Victoria worked in veterinary medicine at the time, and the early videos featured Victoria’s daily life and education on how to care for one’s pets. Victoria thought of the project as her online personal diary, but one that was very public. Her vulnerability about emotional struggle resonated. The feedback was instantaneous and encouraging. She learned she was not alone, and her voice could help others. In one video, Victoria and Alexandra discuss William’s Syndrome in an effort to raise awareness. They have built an online community for those who feel ostracized or alone. With 350,000 followers on Facebook, YouTube, and Instagram, Kim encouraged her daughters to use the platform to expand into a business.

The Birch Family business is entirely online and includes clothing, accessories, and Birch merch (T-shirts, magnets, stickers, and hoodies). With a boho western style, the Birches showcase casual comfort at affordable prices. Birch Boho evolved and Alexandra models the clothes in live Facebook sales. The first T-shirt design from Birch Family featured the quote “Normal is Boring” with the William’s Syndrome logo. A portion of sales benefit the William’s Syndrome Association (WSA) that focuses on research, events, and awareness of the disorder. WSA is the community the Birches found before forming their own. Alexandra met future friends at WSA events and online who looked and acted like she did. She made genuine friendships, where she felt comfortable being herself. The Birches wanted to give back to the organization that supported the family.

Victoria is the creative brain, Kim is the “momager,” and Alexandra is the inspiration for it all. Any business venture requires creativity, organization, and incentive. Kim claims, “Victoria is like a train on a dirt road, so, I am her track.” In a way, Alexandra is the light. Victoria designs most of the stickers and T-shirts, and Alexandra is now a business woman, counting inventory and signing invoices. She always includes little personal notes to each customer, “Thank you, have a nice day.” Birch Family has given Alexandra a purpose, and now at 23 years old, a woman many would have counted out is an entrepreneur. Because the business was founded in pursuit of community, the Birches embrace and give back to theirs. Victoria often tears up reading comments from the Birch community. Some customers buy products just to show support, touched by the Birch story. Moms reach out after a child has been recently diagnosed and they’ve stumbled across videos of Alexandra thriving. The Birch Family is a vision of what the future can hold.

Alexandra’s smile is infectious. She’s always happy, and it’s hard for Victoria to feel depressed in Alexandra’s presence. Her sister reminds her to see the bigger picture. Victoria calls Alexandra her “service human,” and credits her happiness to having such a special sibling. “God never gives you things you can’t handle,” and Alexandra showcases the “special” in special needs. If you find yourselves with the wind knocked out of you due to a child’s diagnosis, Kim and Victoria encourage educating yourself. Catch your breath. Find others like you, and know that while life will be different, the path is wide open. Chart your own course, because mimicking everyone else only leads to misery. Life has a way of forcing change up on us, and the Birch Family shows us that different is beautiful.