Thursday, April 8, 2010

Top Ten Reasons Latham Excels In PWS Residential Placement

10. Cape Cod is one of the most beautiful places in the world. Our main campus, where our children’s program is housed, is in the historic town of Brewster while our adult houses are situated in various towns and villages of the Cape. Each town has its own character, appeal and unrivaled natural scenery.

9. We have been working with PWS for a long time. Experience is worth a lot and we have a lot of it. Since 1980 we have been working with individuals with PWS and have been honing our skills since then. Each day we learn more and each day our services improve.

8. There is strength in numbers. For many of our students and individuals, coming to Latham is like discovering a home they never knew they had. For the first time many of them now have peers that are also diagnosed with PWS. Having friends and relationships with people who really understand you builds bonds of belonging, as well as a sense of security.

7. When the food is secure, you can concentrate on the rest of your life. All Latham buildings and residences are food secure. Obviously, this includes all cooking facilities, but it also extends to offices, events and staff belongings. By doing our part to make “food” a non-issue, our students and individuals find it easier to focus on other aspects of their lives. Unlike other environments our individuals have no hope in securing additional food sources here.

6. Delicious, nutritious meals. Our PWS menu provides high quality nutrition that is delicious and varied on a menu that is structured and predictable. Our students and individuals know well beforehand what the meal is and how much of it they are going to get. This consistency is crucial to what we do.

5. Our staff are leaders in the field. As said earlier, experience can be priceless. Latham staff are highly trained; specifically in working with individuals with PWS. Each staff member attends a week long orientation, monthly trainings, weekly staff meetings, exposure to outside experts on PWS and the support of other highly, trained and experienced colleagues. Our staff are the ones who make the program exceptional.

4. Lots and lots of vibrant opportunities. Both our adult and children’s programs offer numerous experiences, outings, activities and events specifically tailored for individuals with PWS. The lives of our students and adults are full of engagement, learning and enjoyment. Whether it is learning through vocational opportunities, enjoying a horseback riding class, creating a work of art or attending a dance with your friends- each day has a wonderful opportunity in it.

3. The Latham program treats the whole person. This is what sets Latham apart. Prader- Willi Syndrome is expressed differently in individuals and needs individual treatment. It is not just a “food disorder” or an issue of creating a solid behavior plan to address issues. It is far more than that and the treatment needs to be fully integrated and knowledgeable of the syndrome. Our entire program has been created specifically to support the students and individuals in our care.

2. The program is a lot of fun. Our students and individuals create wonderful lives while they are with us. As staff members, it is a rare privilege to witness how a new member of our Latham community can blossom in this environment.

1. Latham gets it. As a parent, teacher, referring agency or individual with PWS, if you have talked to the outside world about PWS, you understand what this statement means. Here at Latham we have been in this special field for thirty years and understand the many special challenges of the syndrome.

For more information on Latham Centers, Inc. please contact:
slaplant@lathamcenters.org



"Success is to be measured not so much by the position that one has reached in life as by the obstacles which he has overcome."
~Booker T. Washington



Friday, April 2, 2010

Exciting News from our friends at PWSA!


We have received word that ABC’s “Extreme Makeover: Home Edition” featuring the Starkweather family will air on May 2, 2010. Nine-year-old Ethan Starkweather has Prader-Willi syndrome.

The five member Starkweather family from Tulsa, OK consists of parents Amy and Toen, and three sons, Jared, 15, and Ryan, 13, and Ethan. Shortly after learning they were selected to receive the home, they were whisked away to a family vacation while their home was torn down and a new one built in its place.

The Starkweathers are investigating how to turn their good fortune into a way to help others with PWS by hosting a fundraiser benefitting PWSA (USA).

As a reminder, the Discovery Health Channel will air a “Mystery Diagnosis” episode featuring the Heybach family on March 22nd at 10:00pm Eastern Standard Time. John Heybach is co-chair of the PWSA (USA) Board of Directors. His son, Conor, who has PWS, sits on the Adults with PWS Advisory Board for PWSA (USA).
Please spread the word to your friends, family and colleagues as a way to help with PWS awareness. Lastly, please take note that PWSA (USA) has no control over airing dates. It is possible that the show times could change. PWSA (USA) cannot always know when and if this will happen. Please check your local listings as another way to verify and follow show times.
Thank you.
Jodi O’Sullivan
Director, Development and Communications
PWSA (USA)
800.926.4797
josullivan@pwsausa.org
(image courtesy of Extreme Makeover Home Edition)




"No one is more cherished in this world than someone who lightens the burden of another." Thank you.
~Author Unknown




Thursday, April 1, 2010

Latham Employee Helps Rescue Dolphins

During the day, Bill Graziadei is a member of Latham’s Adult Nursing team, but at night, and other non-working days he is a volunteer for IFAW Marine Mammal Rescue & Research group.
Lately there have been a number of dolphin strandings on Cape Cod and Bill has helped in these rescue efforts. He loves his work with this organization and says that “The rewards are like those received by working with our clients at Latham Centers.” Below is a link to video and photos of Bill trying to rescue a dolphin.

Click HERE to see a video and view article.


"Unless someone like you cares a whole awful lot, nothing is going to get better. It's not."
~Dr. Seuss

Wednesday, March 31, 2010

Update From Latham's Adult Services

This is a picture of Zanders Pope who is an individual in Latham’s Adult Services Program. Zanders is presently training for the Special Olympics Equestrian events that will take place this summer. This training is occurring at Diamond’s Edge Farm in Barnstable, MA.


"There is something about the outside of a horse that is good for the inside of a man."
~Winston Churchill


Wednesday, March 24, 2010

Pets Make Great Adult Companions


The Advisory Board meets at least quarterly if not sooner as the need arises. The board is comprised of an individual from each of the homes that comprise Adult Services. The board spent a considerable amount of meetings putting together a protocol for pet ownership. We spent many months working on the criteria of what constitutes to being a responsible owner. Some of the aspects we discussed were: making sure of the requirements necessary for their particular pet, making sure the cost of vet bills are covered, etc. We currently have 6 pets in Adult Services that are being cared for by the Adult Individuals, we have cats, guinea pigs and a cockatiel. Others are in the process of looking into being pet owners and researching the needs of their future pet. What a joy to see the proud faces of the owner as they discuss their pets!


"It often happens that a man is more humanely related to a cat or dog than to any human being."
~Henry David Thoreau



Friday, March 19, 2010

A Wonderful Weekend of Basketball


This past weekend the Latham Hawks traveled to Worcester for the Massachusetts Special Olympics Winter Games. On Saturday the Hawks could not be stopped and they ended up winning both of the games they played in. This was the first time in recent memory the team had such a successful day.
On Sunday, after a long trip back to Worcester Academy from Cape Cod, the kids were not feeling quite as energetic, but the team still walked away with Bronze Medals. It was a enjoyable weekend for students, families and coaches and many happy memories were created. Thank you to Wayne McDonald and the other coaches who made the trip. Special Olympics is an important part of our program, something many kids look forward to, and we are lucky to have so many people willing to come and help out.


"Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed people can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has."
~Margaret Meade


Monday, March 15, 2010

Passion Plunge a Huge Success!

A group of hearty Latham employees went through with their pledge. Many called them crazy... some begged them not to do it, but they went against all common sense and dove into the Atlantic ocean on a winter's day.
The four Plungers have been fundraising for the Children’s Special Olympics program the last couple of months and participated in one of Massachusetts Special Olympics Passion Plunges. A huge thank you to Children’s employees Jamie Mersch, Shannon Long and Kristen Schmidt for all of their fundraising efforts and for the courage to jump into the water. Thank you also to Kristen’s husband Bill who joined our team just for the fun of it.
Through their efforts, Latham was able to raise about $2500 for this year’s Special Olympics program, which, for many students, is their favorite part of Latham. A majority of the donations were small denominations from many, many individuals in the Latham community. Latham is a strong community that is incredibly supportive of the children here on campus. Thanks to everyone who participated, whether by donating or diving, helping to make this the most successful fundraiser yet.


"If passion drives you, let reason hold the reins."
~Benjamin Franklin


Tuesday, March 2, 2010

Would You Know What To Do?

Recently, a former colleague wrote to me about an experience she had in her current job. At first, I thought this was just a “hi, how are you” e-mail from an old friend but it turned out to be a wonderful and poignant reminder of how important learning CPR and First Aid really is...

"A woman and her husband, father & child stopped by the desk of this person. There was a dish of candy on it and the woman took a piece but then started choking. When asked by the former staff if she was OK, her panic was clear and she shook her head NO! The training this staff had received years ago kicked in and with the skill she had developed in annual CPR classes, she was able to help the woman to begin breathing again. Her closing comment to me was “I didn’t have to think about what to do, it all just fell into place.”

A life saved, a family tragedy averted. Have you taken the time to learn CPR/FirstAid? Would you be the person in the right place at the right time? I strongly encourage all of you to find the time to take a CPR/First Aid class. The American Red Cross, The American Heart Association as well as other community resources offer classes all over the country. Do it soon, it could save a life!


"Precaution is better than cure."
~Edward Coke




Monday, March 1, 2010

Latham's Snow Tubing Adventure

Over Winter Vacation, many of our students enjoyed an active day of tubing at Nashoba Valley.


"Living at risk is jumping off the cliff and building your wings on the way down."
~Ray Bradbury