PWS United

Justice and Kristi Rickenbach, along with Jennifer Andrews, sat down with Anne Fricke to share their experiences and perspectives on participating in Harmony Biosciences' pitolisant clinical trial. Pitolisant is being tested for its efficacy in treating excessive daytime sleepiness in individuals with PWS. They discuss what brought them to this particular trial, details and logistics, the importan...

The latest in PWSA | USA events and PWS news in research, family support, and advocacy.  Events Hotel Reservations: Arizona Grand Resort & Spa - Reservations - Room Availability Search Home - 2025 United in Hope PWS Conference For info on sponsorship opportunities: development@pwsausa.org PWS Rare Aware Art Share - Prader-Willi Syndrome Association | USA Prader-Willi Hot Stove | Powered By Giv...

This episode is an edited recording of a past webinar explaining how parents can help advance PWS research while also finding and building community support. PWS parents Maria Picone and Chris DeFelice shared how their personal journey with PWS led them to create the PWS Connect channel on Discord, a place where caregivers come together to share their journeys, experiences, questions, and advice t...

Listen to the latest in PWSA events and PWS news: how to help us celebrate our 50th Birthday year in 2025 at the Journey of Hope Gala and our 50th birthday party at the International PWS conference in June, a young artist's Spotlight on Hope, call for Rare Aware Art Share submissions, Diamonds and Denim fundraiser, the upcoming PWS Advocacy master class, PWSA Egypt, Nurse Lynn's response for a lat...

In this Pulse episode, Carrie and Anne discuss the holidays, the upcoming close of Angel Drive, Stacy's message of gratitude and progress, a young marathon runner with PWS, Rare Aware Art deadline, 2025 International conference, Hot Stove save the date, Inclusive Advocacy in Action, James and Elaine Towle's "Our Stories" video, year-end highlights for advocacy, the latest PWS in Adulthood blog, an...

Meet the PWSA | USA staff! In this episode, listeners get a behind-the-scenes glimpse of the dedicated staff as we answer questions about what we do for the organization, what we love about working for PWSA and the PWS community, what we think you all need to know about what we offer, where would Carrie travel to tomorrow, what skills does Anne wish she had, what is one (of many) of Dorothea's mos...

The latest in PWSA | USA events and PWS news.  LINKS Donate:  Angel Drive 2024 - Prader-Willi Syndrome Association | USA PWSA | USA Hope in Action: Grandparents’ Stories of Love and Resilience Share your Spotlight on Hope: Share Your Story - Prader-Willi Syndrome Association | USA 2025 United in Hope PWS Conference Submit to the Rare Aware Art Share: PWS Rare Aware Art Share - Prader-Willi Syndrom...

As parents and caregivers, caring for ourselves is one of the most important—and one of the most often forgotten—things we can do as a caregiver. If we neglect to take care of ourselves, we may likely find that it is more challenging to care for our loved ones. When our needs are taken care of, the person we care for will benefit, too. Recognizing that we need to take of ourselves, and actually do...

November is National Adoption Month, and we have a lovely episode with Rachel Aazzerah, the adoptive mom of Michael, a 6-year-old with PWS. She speaks with Stacy about her family’s experience in adopting Michael as a baby, what open adoption looks like, and offers advice and suggestions for how families can look into adoption for themselves. This conversation steers around to how people can suppor...

The latest in PWSA events and PWS news in research, family support, and advocacy. Get a brief introduction to International 15Q Day and how you can help support PWSA | USA for our 2024 Angel Drive fundraiser. Other topics include the 2025 International PWS conference and FPWRs travel scholarship, Rare Aware Art Share birthday theme, our Hope in Action video series, a PWS Christmas party in the Pac...

PWSA | USA's communication team, Carrie and Anne, speak with PWS mom, Emily Felt, about self-care for caregivers. We talk about what caregiver burnout may look like, various ways to practice meditative activities and why, the importance of self-advocacy and external support, what gratitude does for perspective and mental health, and how and why to keep showing up for yourself. Whether your self-ca...

The latest in PWSA events and PWS news in research, family support, and advocacy with PWSA | USA's Director of Development, Melanie McDonald, filling in for Carrie. Hear about the launch of our Angel Drive campaign and how you can donate, the latest happenings on Capitol Hill, support for PWS families affected by the recent hurricanes, PWS in adulthood blog series, upcoming family support webinars...

PWSA | USA's Adults with PWS Advisory Board recently met in person at the site of the 2025 International PWS conference. Stacy Ward, CEO of PWSA, interviewed board members to share more about the work they do, how they began, what it's like living with PWS, advice for families, and what strengths they are looking for as they seek for a new member.  Advisory Board members include Conor Heybach, Sha...

Updates on PWSA events and fundraisers, along with the latest news in advocacy, family support, and research in the PWS community.  PWSA | USA's hotline is (941) 312-0400 Links: Therapeutic-interventions-1-1.pdf Move Play Thrive | Brain and Sensory Foundations Course - Home Share Your Story - Prader-Willi Syndrome Association | USA Home - 2025 United in Hope PWS Conference PWS Rare Aware Art Share...

In this episode of PWS United, Clint Hurdle, former MLB manager and proud dad to Madison (22), who is living with Prader-Willi syndrome, sits down with PWSA | USA CEO Stacy Ward for a heartfelt conversation. Clint shares his family’s journey from Madison’s diagnosis to connecting with PWSA | USA, offering fun personal stories and reflections. With nearly 50 years in Major League Baseball and over...

The latest in PWSA news, research, fundraising, family support, advocacy, and more. Be sure to check out the links! LINKS Our Staff - Prader-Willi Syndrome Association | USA (pwsausa.org) Halloween Fun for Everyone - Prader-Willi Syndrome Association | USA (pwsausa.org) Celebrate Thanksgiving Safely - Prader-Willi Syndrome Association | USA (pwsausa.org) Celebrate Holidays Safely - Prader-Willi Sy...

As research and treatment options for the PWS community continue to grow, we wanted to take a closer look at clinical trials, what are they, how are they run, what trials are available for PWS families, and how you can get involved. We hear personal perspectives from families and begin the journey of one family's first foray into a particular trial in the PWS community and how they moved past thei...

Catch up on the latest news in the PWS community by listening to this edition of the PWS United podcast.  LINKS PWSA | USA's Podcast has a New Name! - Prader-Willi Syndrome Association | USA (pwsausa.org) Service Dog at Home and at School - Prader-Willi Syndrome Association | USA (pwsausa.org) Obtaining and Training a Service Dog - Prader-Willi Syndrome Association | USA (pwsausa.org) Getting a Se...

In this PWS United episode, we’re reflecting on Direct Support Professionals Week, which took place between September 8th and 14th. This special week is dedicated to honoring the incredible individuals who provide essential care and support to those living with developmental disabilities, including PWS. PWSA | USA CEO, Stacy Ward, leads an important discussion on the history and significance of th...

(Please note, this episode was recorded under the name PWS Connect, and we have since changed the name to PWS United.) We're bringing the newest edition of our Pulse newsletter, this time with some conversation and personal insight. Catch up on the latest news in the PWS community by listening to this edition of the PWS United podcast. LINKS Join PWS Connect on Discord TREND Connect Community and...

(Please note, this episode was recorded under the name PWS Connect, and we have since changed the name to PWS United.) Exercise is not a dirty word! Kat Lucero, PWSA | USA Board Member and certified Integrative Health and Wellness Coach and Stacy Ward, PWSA | USA's CEO, discuss the healthy and unhealthy ways we use exercise. Kat shares the many benefits exercise has on our physical and mental heal...

(Please note, this episode was recorded under the name PWS Connect, and we have since changed the name to PWS United.) We want to make sure the PWS community is aware of the multiple resources offered by PWSA | USA to help you and your loved one with PWS have a successful school year. From suggestions to help ease back to school anxiety for both individual and caregiver, tips for IEPs, our School...

(Please note, this episode was recorded under the name PWS Connect, and we have since changed the name to PWS United.) In this episode of PWS United, we sit down with Dorothea Lantz, Director of Community Engagement at PWSA | USA, for an insightful discussion about recent and upcoming advocacy efforts. Dorothea offers a recap of the May 2024 D.C. Fly-In and discusses the recent steps taken to adva...

(Please note, this episode was recorded under the name PWS Connect, and we have since changed the name to PWS United.) Carrie and Anne, from PWSA | USA's Communication Dept., share the news and resources from PWSA | USA's Pulse newsletter, edition #104. Our Pulse covers upcoming fundraising events and conferences, advocacy highlights and actions, family support resources and offerings, the latest...

(Please note, this episode was recorded under the name PWS Connect, and we have since changed the name to PWS United.) We spoke with PWS parents and advocates, Dini Rao and Gennelle Conway, about the growing PWS BIPOC Affinity Group. We discussed the experiences and challenges of people of color in the medical and PWS world, implicit bias, personal prejudice, and systemic racism, and how people ca...