submitted by Stacy Ward
Sybil Cohen has been a dedicated volunteer for PWSA | USA for many years, serving in numerous vital roles including chapter leader, board member, and parent mentor.
Her unwavering commitment was especially evident at the recent United in Hope Conference, where she volunteered at the registration and check-in desk for the entirety of the event. From early morning through the final session, Sybil greeted every attendee with warmth and kindness, offering not only name badges and materials but also reassurance and a friendly smile. Whether she was answering questions, helping families navigate the venue, or simply being a calm and welcoming presence, Sybil made everyone feel seen and supported. Her dedication, approachability, and deep compassion are a true reflection of the spirit of the PWSA | USA community.
We are deeply grateful to Sybil for her tireless dedication and the countless hours she has devoted to the PWSA | USA community. Her presence at the United in Hope Conference exemplified the heart of volunteerism, offering her time, energy, and compassion without hesitation. Sybil’s efforts did not go unnoticed; countless families, new and returning, commented on how her kindness made their experience more welcoming and meaningful. We extend our heartfelt thanks to Sybil for being a pillar of strength, support, and hope. Her ongoing service continues to make a lasting impact, and we are honored to have her as part of the PWSA | USA family.
Submit a Volunteer Spotlight
Volunteers are a critical part of the work we do at PWSA | USA! We are incredibly grateful and inspired by the people who step up and offer their time, energy, wisdom, and support to help the families and individuals in the PWS community. We welcome submissions from people spotlighting someone else, or from volunteers themselves!
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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.