Spotlight on Hope: Mastering Karate with Cameron

submitted by Lisa Graziano, proud mom to Cameron (26, living with PWS)

Cameron Graziano, age 26 with PWS deletion subtype, earned his Black Belt in Tae Kwon Do when he was 17 years old. His passion for Karate started at age 9 when his ability to balance on one foot did not exceed a count of one, and grew as his practice increased his strength and skill. A couple of years after obtaining his Black Belt Cameron chipped a bone while doing a jump kick in class. Surgery, months of physical therapy, and a pandemic followed, but Cameron’s love of Karate endured. When he was finally able to return to a studio, he decided to learn a new style of Karate and is now studying Moo Duk Kwan with another Black Belt in his sights. Late in 2023 Cameron submitted a proposal to the Prader-Willi California Foundation offering to teach basic karate to others with PWS. He independently wrote his Karate with Cameron curriculum, included lots of calisthenics, for 42 weekly 1-hour Zoom classes with handouts and the class’s video for registrants to practice between classes. His proposal was accepted and classes began in 2024 with plans to continue at least through 2025. Attendees love it! Most attend every week and work out the entire hour! Cameron was honored in 2024 with a PWCF President’s Award for his work to improve the health of his peers. Karate with Cameron classes are available only to PWCF members – and while I may be a tad biased, I think they’re totally worth the modest cost of membership!

Submit your Spotlight on Hope below:

Name*
First Last
Email*
Subject
Message
Share Your Picture/Video Files:
Upload up to 6 photos/videos to the "Choose File" buttons below.
Consent*
I Agree to PWSA | USA's Media Consent Policy
By clicking here, I hereby authorize and grant my full permission to Prader-Willi Syndrome Association | USA (PWSA | USA) to collect, use and store any of my personal information, including, without limitation, my likeness, image, voice, and/or statements (“the personal information”) for posting on the PWSA | USA website or social media pages, to use for printed publications or for other purposes that may convey my identity (names may be used unless otherwise specified), diagnosis and other information.

I acknowledge that:

1. I have the authority to grant this authorization and I hereby waive any rights of privacy and other cognizable claims which I may have in connection with the use of the personal information on the PWSA | USA website or social media pages, in printed or other publications, or for other purposes. I understand that this consent is intended to release from liability all personnel of PWSA | USA and is valid unless and until revoked as described below.
2. I understand that the personal information provided to PWSA | USA may reveal sensitive health information about me, including health conditions, diagnosis, and treatment.
3. I understand that any personal information I share with PWSA | USA may be included in various media, including, without limitation, print and digital media, audio and video recordings, photographs, and written statements.
4. I agree that PWSA | USA shall own worldwide copyright and other intellectual property rights in any work product incorporating the personal information. Under this authorization, I assign and transfer to PWSA | USA full worldwide right, title, interest in and ownership of all copyright and other intellectual property rights in such work product without payment of any fees, royalties or other compensation.
5. I understand that I may revoke this authorization at any time by sending an email to PWSA | USA at events@pwsausa.org which identifies the information covered by the revocation. Upon receipt of this notice, PWSA | USA will endeavor to stop using this information within a reasonable time after receipt of such notice.
6. I acknowledge that I am signing this authorization voluntarily and that I am not required to sign this authorization as a condition of eligibility to receive any benefits or services from PWSA | USA. I understand that I may refuse to sign this form.
7. If I have any questions about my privacy rights under this authorization, I understand I may contact PWSA | USA by sending an email to: events@pwsausa.org . The terms of this authorization are not linked to any other agreement, nor to the term of any other agreement, and the terms of this authorization will survive until a request for revocation is submitted as described above.