It has been said that each of us needs just three things to be truly happy in this world: someone to LOVE, something toย HOPEย for, and something toย DO. Together with our Prader-Willi syndrome community near and far, our mission requires all three.
WE LOVE:ย They are our children, our grandchildren, nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles, neighbors, patients, and friends living with the obstacles that come with this rare and complex diagnosis of PWS.
WE HOPE:ย We unite in hope to transform those efforts into opportunities for our loved one that leads to a life filled with possibility. We move forward each day with positivity and determination because we know with certainty that our loved one with PWS has a bright future ahead, despite the challenges they face.
WE DOย so much from the moment our loved one with PWS enters the worldโฆ
This holiday season, we invite you to share your HOPE for your loved one with PWS (or the PWS community) when you fill out our online donation form. Why? Because your message of hope will become part of a thread of hope connecting all of us near and far as we begin a new year.
Additionally, weโd like to ask for your support with a year-end contribution to help ensure we can continue TAKING ACTION for all those affected by PWS. Whether itโs raising our voices with legislators in Washington, D.C. about issues that matter most, helping to navigate through a medical emergency, or providing family support as you appeal for benefitsโwe are by your side every step of the way!
Perry A. Zirkel has written more than 1,500 publications on variousย aspects of school law, with an emphasis on legal issues in special education.ย He writes a regular column for NAESPโsย Principalย magazine and NASPโsย Communiquรฉย newsletter, and he did so previously forย Phi Delta Kappanย andย 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 Childrenโs Institute of Pittsburgh. She graduated fromย Duquesne University receiving her Bachelorโs and Masterโs 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 Programย (IEP) consultant. Staci collaborates with the PWS multi-disciplinary clinic at the Childrenโs Hospital in Denverย supporting families and school districts around the United Statesย with their childโs 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.