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History of “My Name’s Not Willy!©”
Being the sibling of Matt Heinemann, an adult brother with Prader-Willi
syndrome, Tad Tomaseski is intimately aware of the self-esteem issues with which
a person with PWS struggles. Committing to being the director of YAP (youth and
adult program) at the 2003 PWSA (USA) conference, Tad made a personal commitment
to do more than entertain and baby-sit. He was determined to work on personal
worth issues. (Note – this is quite a challenge when you are responsible for
over 175 in the program!) Tad, his youth leaders, and his teen group from Frisco, Texas (Tad is a youth minister) decided to create a rap CD (knowing the message would have to be given through a fun and “cool” medium. They worked many nights on the wording. A recording studio donated their time, Scott Garrison, created the music and did the mixing. Tad then created the packaging. Tad and his Xcel Team, had just come back from a mission’s trip, so they were up the entire night working on finishing the inserts before flying to Florida to run the YAP program. The Rap song was a big hit and they also taught the dance that Tad’s wife, Gina, and Natalie Mitchell created to go with the music. Each child and adult in the program got a CD. The amazing ventriloquist, Cindy Nelson, also from Celebration Covenant Church in Texas, also donated three days at conference to work with our children and adults with PWS on self-esteem. Her custom designed puppets all do more than entertain. For example, Taylor Rabbit had the crowd shouting “Yes you can!” every time he would whine, “I can’t!” Our goal for the next large conference in 2005 is for Tad and Gina to bring an entire busload of their incredibly talented team from their church as a mission trip to staff the YAP. This will eliminated our constant worry and stress over not being able to get enough volunteers for this program. We will then be able to trust then that they will have a positive and uplifting attitude and will be appropriately trained. Tad’s youth group and PWSA (USA) will work to raise money to cover the expense of the trip. YOU ARE WELCOME TO DOWNLOAD THIS CD AT NO CHARGE, BUT CAN HELP US WITH THIS IMPORTANT MISSION BY GIVING A DESIGNATED DONATION TO PWSA (USA) FOR THE 2005 YAP. A suggested contribution of $6.00 or more per download. Send your contributions PWSA(USA), 8588 Potter Park Drive, Suite 500, Sarasota, FL 34238 by downloading this song you are agreeing to these copyright terms: You cannot change or modify the song without the express permission of PWSA(USA). Credit should be given to PWSA (USA) and the Xcel Team with all copies.
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