Restaurant Night...A Huge Success!

Every Wednesday before Valentines day, students at the Latham School enjoy a well deserved pampering. This special night is called Restaurant Night. Students enjoy a formal five course meal to the accompaniment of soft music and lighting. The entire night, from the cooking of the food and waiting on the tables to the clearing and washing of the dishes, is done by Latham staff who give their own time for this very special occasion.

Take a look at this years PWS menu:

• Spinach and Arugula Salad w/ Fresh Pears, Red Peppers, Capers and Drizzled w/ Light Mandarin, Sesame Dressing
• Grilled Portabella Mushroom w/ Herbed Ricotta Cheese
• Grilled Vegetable Lasagna w/ Carrot Puree
• Watermelon Granita
• Roasted Shoulder Tenderloin, Asparagus Spears, Pureed Cauliflower w/ Red Pepper Puree
• Baked Apples w/ Whipped Topping

The evening was a huge success! The kids enjoyed themselves immensely and the staff went out of their way to please. Below is a follow up note from Eric Pleace, one of Latham’s clinicians who served as a waiter that night:

"Last night the children enjoyed a spectacular dining experience. The setting was elegant. The waitstaff were polite and responsive. The kitchen staff worked like elves and, as if by magic, these gorgeous plates of food were placed before the kids. Especially for the PWS kids - they could not believe their eyes - the portions looked huge! Their eyes said "Am I really allowed to eat all that?" And they kept coming - Six beautifully presented courses. I checked the PWS daily weights this morning - the morning after....ZERO weight gain. WOW!"

Special thanks are due to the kitchen staff and meal planners. And to everyone else who contributed to making this night such a delight - Thank You!

"Service to others is the rent you pay for your room here on earth."
~Mohammed Ali

Allison's Dream Come True

Latham Centers is a strength-based program dedicated to providing excellent services. Our mission statement is focused on the individuals we serve~ "We strive to assist each individual to achieve his or her potential and become a valued member of the community."

A number of years ago when I was working in a residence with 4 individuals with PWS, I asked each one to tell me his or her dreams. Some of the items on Allison's list included to work with individuals with AIDS, get a job, and go to Ireland (the country where her parents came from). That year, Allison and I worked to achieve a few goals. Allison got a job in the community and started volunteering to help a local AIDS drop in center. Allison's commitment to volunteer in the community enriched many lives; those her volunteer services helped and her housemates who were inspired to join her. While her third goal took longer, Allison was not deterred. She worked and saved for the next few years and was able to take her dream trip to Ireland.

While I did not work with Allison in the same capacity, she chose me to support her on her trip. What a special time seeing Allison reveling in delight as she visited the town her ancestors came from and various other sites. Not only that, but Allison was also able to enjoy all the local food and only had a minimal weight gain. At one point in Allison's life she had been over 500 pounds, she was 300+ when she arrived at Latham. Her current weight is around 120 pounds. Without a program helping Allison achieve her goal weight and optimal health, she would not have been able to achieve her dreams.

Congratulations Allison!

"Dreams are illustrations... from the book your soul is writing about you."
~Marsha Norman

You're Swimming When?

There are a group of Latham employees who will be jumping into the frigid waters of Cape Cod on the last Saturday of January and they're doing it for a really great cause!

The Passion Plunge was established in 1999 as a fundraiser for Special Olympics Massachusetts. So far, our Plungers have worked together to raise over $2 million for the athletes of Special Olympics Massachusetts.
For this reason, a dedicated group of Latham employees will be trudging over the snow covered beach to take a dip in the Atlantic Ocean. Please visit this link to see the members of the team and to donate to this very important cause.
Here's a brief rundown of the days events:

• Each Plunger should register in advance of the event through the website www.passionplunge.org or by calling Steve at 978-774-1501 x 212. Walk-on plungers are also welcome as long as they have collected their pledges before the start of the event.
• Once registered, Plungers raise money (a minimum of $250.00), through the collection of donations from friends, family, co-workers, etc. Each registered Plunger is given a free Passion Plunge website.
• All Plungers will check in starting at 10 AM. At that time, they will turn in any checks or cash they have collected and (hopefully) noted in 'My HQ', and they will receive their t-shirt if they met the $250 fundraising minimum.
• Plungers and guests can then hang out in the main tent or enjoy the sights and sounds of a beautiful winter New England day at the beach.
• At approximately 11:15 AM all costumed Plungers will participate in the costume parade, with winners being announced at the post-Plunge party.
• Then, it's into the ocean! Volunteers will be on hand to direct Plungers and assist as needed up at the Sponsor Tent, Parking, the Bath house and on the Beach.
• Immediately after the Plunge all Plungers will be directed to the locker rooms or tents to change into some warm clothes. Sorry, there are no showers available.
• The post-Plunge party will begin under the heated tent. All plungers and their guests are welcome free of charge. The Post-Plunge bash will feature music, food, fun and prizes!
• At approximately 12:30 PM, we will start the awards ceremony to hand out all of the category (Top Fundraiser, Best Team Costume, Golden Plunger, etc.) and raffle prizes.

When is it?

January 31, 2009
Revere Beach, Revere
Old Silver Beach, Falmouth

February 14, 2009
Nantasket Beach, Hull
Lake Quinsigamond, Worcester

We hope to see you there!

(Image courtesy of Boston.com)

"Follow your passion, and success will follow you."
~Arthur Buddhold

Welcome to the Latham Centers blog!

Welcome and thanks for checking out our blog! It is here where we hope you will gain a more intimate understanding of who we are as well as offering a place to share stories of hope and life with Prader-Willi Syndrome.

The Latham Centers' Gilbough Program opened its doors to work with individuals with Prader-Willi Syndrome in 1980. Today we have evolved from a small program with few individuals to a nationally known leader in PWS residential treatment.

We currently have 6 adult houses with all PWS individuals. All houses have 4 or 5 adults with PWS. Additionally we have 1 adult in a shared-living setting. For the younger population, we also have one of the few childrens residential programs that serves children with Prader-Willi Syndrome.

The Latham School has a capacity for 12 students with PWS (boys 12-22, girls 8-22). All residents participate in a host of community and agency sponsored activities and have productive, active lives.

Our work has shown that there are a number of important key elements. In order for our individuals to experience a vibrant and thriving lifestyle, programming must support and include the following:

• Well trained staff versed in Prader-Willi Syndrome
• Houses with all PWS individuals
• A nutritional plan in place (we have a 5 week nutritional plan)
• Either a locked kitchen or locked cabinets and refrigerator
• Nursing knowledgeable in PWS health issues
• Commitment to utilize community resources (i.e. local gyms, educational resources, shops, day programs)
• Involvement in Special Olympics and/or other organized recreational activities
• Behavioral specialists (consulting and/or staff)
• Psychiatric care with a physician knowledgeable in PWS
• Committed teams to work with each individual's abilities, goals, and dreams

"With ordinary talent and extraordinary perseverance, 
all things are attainable."
~Thomas Foxwell Buxton