While he survived being directly under tower one on 9/11, Jim Worthington eventually lost his battle with leukemia on October 16th, 2021. He loved to play golf when he could get out, which was not often. He loved his family even more, including his son with Prader-Willi syndrome.
Prader-Willi syndrome (PWS) is rare and most people, including many physicians and caregivers, as well as new parents and family members, are not familiar with this syndrome. The symptoms include a continuous urge to eat, a need for fewer calories to maintain weight, cognitive development issues, and many others. In fact, parents and people with PWS know that there is far more to the syndrome than eating and weight gain and are often under incredible stress. Learn more here.
A "Gimme" in golf is usually a short putt that is excused by one’s opponent for playing because it is considered too easy to miss. Jim was as generous on the golf course as he was in life, and his wish was that any "Gimmes" available go to helping individuals and families with PWS.
We started the "No Gimmes for Jimmy" Annual Charity Golf Outing to raise money and awareness of PWS, while having some fun and remembering a great family man. Jim didn’t get a "Gimme" on October 16th, but what he’d want just as much is for you to give to this important charity. We’re asking you to contribute a "Gimme" to PWSA, and join us for a day of fun on the course in his honor.
WHEN: Friday, May 6, 2022 | WHERE: Farmstead Golf & Country Club, in Lafayette, NJ | START TIME: 8AM Check-In; 9AM Shotgun Start.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.