2026 Moms’ Retreat
Every day, moms and female caregivers in the Prader-Willi syndrome (PWS) community give so much of themselves, often putting their own needs last. This fall, we’re inviting you to do something just for yourself.
PWSA | USA’s 2nd Moms’ Retreat will take place October 16–17, 2026, at the Grand Hyatt Deer Valley in Park City, Utah, and it’s designed specifically for moms and female caregivers who deserve rest, connection, and renewal.
This intimate weekend will bring together 100 women from across the PWS community for meaningful conversations, uplifting sessions, and shared experiences centered on powerful themes like “You Belong Here,” “Giving Yourself Grace,” and “You Matter Too.” You’ll leave feeling seen, supported, and connected to others who truly understand your journey.
If you’ve been waiting for permission to pause, this is it. Join us for a weekend that creates space for you and friendships that last far beyond it.
Spots are limited to 100 attendees and will fill quickly. Once capacity is reached, registration will close and we will move to a waitlist.
Perry A. Zirkel has written more than 1,500 publications on various aspects of school law, with an emphasis on legal issues in special education. He writes a regular column for NAESP’s Principal magazine and NASP’s Communiqué newsletter, and he did so previously for Phi Delta Kappan and Teaching Exceptional Children.
Jennifer Bolander has been serving as a Special Education Specialist for PWSA (USA) since October of 2015. She is a graduate of John Carroll University and lives in Ohio with her husband Brad and daughters Kate (17), and Sophia (13) who was born with PWS.
Dr. Amy McTighe is the PWS Program Manager and Inpatient Teacher at the Center for Prader-Willi Syndrome at the Children’s Institute of Pittsburgh. She graduated from Duquesne University receiving her Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Education with a focus on elementary education, special education, and language arts.
Evan has worked with the Prader-Willi Syndrome Association (USA) since 2007 primarily as a Crisis Intervention and Family Support Counselor. Evans works with parents and schools to foster strong collaborative relationships and appropriate educational environments for students with PWS.
Staci Zimmerman works for Prader-Willi Syndrome Association of Colorado as an Individualized Education Program (IEP) consultant. Staci collaborates with the PWS multi-disciplinary clinic at the Children’s Hospital in Denver supporting families and school districts around the United States with their child’s Individual Educational Plan.
Founded in 2001, SDLC is a non-profit legal services organization dedicated to protecting and advancing the legal rights of people with disabilities throughout the South. It partners with the Southern Poverty Law Center, Protection and Advocacy (P&A) programs, Legal Services Corporations (LSC) and disability organizations on major, systemic disability rights issues involving the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), and the federal Medicaid Act. Recently in November 2014, Jim retired.