You may have heard of the symptoms, but may not be familiar with the name. Prader-Willi Syndrome (PWS) is a rare and complex genetic condition, affecting roughly one in every 15-20,000 births each year.  Virtually no system within the body and mind is left untouched when this tiny amount of genetic material is found to be missing, duplicated, or altered.  The average lifespan for a person with PWS is around 30.

Associated problems include (but are not limited to);
·      High propensity to obesity due to lack of satiety, which can become life threatening
·      Mental illness including anxiety, bipolar and episodes of psychosis
·      Speech difficulties
·      Gastric complications like constipation, poor digestion and slow gastric emptying
·      High pain threshold – making it difficult to diagnose illness
·      Behavioural issues and emotional immaturity
·      Slow sensory reception and processing
·      Scoliosis
–      Short stature, small hands and feet
·      Lack of sexual maturity

Interaction is not only a generalist disability services provider, but also follows internationally recognised best practice procedures when it comes to providing specialised accommodation, supports and allied health services to people with Prader-Willi Syndrome.

Having had a long and outstanding relationship with two of the most well respected and recognised PWS professionals in the world, some of Interaction’s PWS staff have just completed a comprehensive training event for professional carers currently supporting people with PWS.

Individuals were required to attend over 5 consecutive days from 9-13 October 2017, with 6 one on one Skype follow-ups with Dr. Hödebeck-Stuntebeck and Dr. Soyer, followed by another 5 days training from 19-23 March 2018.  The training has been widely and successfully implemented across Europe and other parts of the world, with Interaction to be the first organisation to bring this opportunity to the Australian PWS community.

1 Day Seminars were scheduled during October 2017 in Sydney, with Brisbane and Melbourne seminars completed during March this year.  While the Training was for Professional Carers only, the Seminars were open to anyone who has involvement with PWS, and were a huge success particularly with families of people with PWS.

“PWS is rare – not nearly as well known – yet just as important as any other genetic disorders”, says Craig Moore – Interaction CEO, who has been invited to speak at the upcoming PWS Asia Pacific Conference in Brisbane during October.  “The number and severity of its symptoms and associated problems affects every system in the body.  Interaction has recognised the need for quality PWS services and training for many years, and continues to raise awareness, and to create and implement strategies to ensure that people with PWS can live long and healthy lives.”

Interaction is expanding its PWS support services, currently working on the development of ‘Empowered Living Apartments’ in QLD, and recognises that bringing together the PWS community, and jointly working with professionals and advocates towards a better future for people with PWS and their family/carer network is of the utmost importance.

For more information on PWS click here