cyndi olivacz • about 14 years ago

If Americans ate and exercised the way that people with PWS *must*, obesity would likely be negligible in today's society. This PWS community is the perfect role model and needs the awareness to educate others.

Donna Franco • about 14 years ago

I agree with Benjamin M & Terri M....Mark G you are a wonderful advocate! Thank you so much :) Well said!

susan miller • about 14 years ago

i wish to apologize for any trouble my comment has caused.i spoke from the heart and out of a deep love for the prader wili child in my life.in doing so,i chose the low road instead of the high road.i regret that and deeply apologize

Gretchen Golub • about 14 years ago

If I had a chance to talk to Mrs. Obama this is what I would say ....

Your Let's Move initiative gives me hope.

My son has Prader-Willi Syndrome, the number one genetic cause of obesity related death. To help him maintain an average Body Mass Index requires vigiliant monitoring of calories, planning well balanced meals, restricting access to food and constant effort to keep him moving. While my son is an extreme case and his life depends on it, I am here to encourage other parents, that it is possible to provide a lifestyle for their children with nutritionally packed food and lots of fun exercise. All our children are born with a world of opportunity. It is possible to create a healthy enviroment that can fuel them to reach their full potential. If our amazing community of parents with a child with PWS can do it every minute of every day then every parent can.

It gives me hope that one day my son will live in a healthier world making his struggles a little easier. That one day he can sit side by side with his classmates and they will all be eating good wholesome food and all our children have will live happy and healthy lives. Thank for the importance you place on our children's futures.

Sharon Clark-Gamus • about 14 years ago

In honour of my cousin Kevin, I support this group and all the hard work everyone is doing to help those with this disorder.

Sarah Moall • about 14 years ago

We all know that genetic diseases are very unfair and cruel specially to the innocent children,but they're also very rare like the Prader-Willi Syndrome! Therefore these children should be monitored for their diets and physical activity. If we want to help them we should promote physical activity within the families..I believe people who are voting for this cause should vote for "100 Citizens Role Models for the Future" as well. Their casue is to end childhood obesity by promoting the physical activity so they will be able to help the Willi syndrome children, too.

George Varndell • about 14 years ago

I am the insanely proud father of Georgie, who is 7 and has PWS. My wife and I have been enlisting the support of everyone we know, and even people we don't know, to keep the votes coming in. We aren't doing this in hopes of finding a cure. We're doing it because we believe PWS holds the secret to what drives people to over-eat. Successful obesity mitigation strategies will not be about exercise alone. PWS research promises to unravel the mechanics of compulsive over eating. I profoundly resent attempts to paint us as a group of people who don't belong in this race. We are about exercise, we are about understanding the urge to food binge. We are about ending obesity in all people.

Kim West • about 14 years ago

I just have to say that I could not be more impressed by this community of parents and loved ones who are fighting to better the lives of the people they love. If the goal of this contest is to inspire people to live a healthier through a healthy diet and exercise, then this is the group to do that very thing. I believe that previous posts have made the argument as to why this is a valid submission into the contest. The point that I'd like to speak to is their ability to inspire.
We as a society know that we need to eat better, exercise more, and set a better example for our children. We've known that for years. What we need is inspiration. Inspiration leads to actions and actions are what lead to change. To bring about that change we need a group that can truly inspire. We need to be inspired to look at overweight people differently, inspired to choose to eat healthy, inspired to get out and exercise with our family, inspired to teach our children a better way. The PWS community is the inspiration that will lead to the action that will create the change.
If you're looking to be inspired, google the FPWR, PWSUSA and Prader-Willi Syndrome. Watch the videos, read the stories, feel the hope, be a part of the change.

Cristina Kula • about 14 years ago

I truly believe that One Small Step is a great cause for bringing awareness to a cure for PWS. I also truly believe that a program like 100 Citizens: Role Models for the Future can facilitate and equip those with loved ones that have PWS to stay active. Children and adults that have PWS need Kinesiologist and Exercise Physiologist that understand this disease and understand exercise to aid in prescribing and thus staving off obesity.
What a great race! I commend both top videos for doing such a great job of rallying support! It is a great notion that when someone believes in something so much we can move THOUSANDS of people!

Michael White • about 14 years ago

I've been watching this discussion with keen interest, having initially been made aware of the "Let's Move" campaign via my friends in the PWS community. As some people have echoed already, it is amazing to see two "sides" so evenly committed to their cause, but what I think the PWS community has done more effectively, is to focus this "worthiness" debate on the genetic predisposition to obesity and that research committed to that effort is ground zero for the battle with obesity. Let's face it, NOT A SINGLE PERSON can claim ignorance that a healthy diet and exercise are HELPFUL in stemming epidemic obesity rates, but if there were such a thing as a "cure" for obesity, it will be found through unlocking the genetic code which spurs the desire to over-eat. I commend all the worthy efforts in this contest and as many have suggested, all sides can / should commit to helping one another as we move forward.

SARAH REDDIG • about 14 years ago

I just want to add, not only are we making our own household healthier for our child with PWS, we are also making the school healthier. We have a meeting with ALL of the school employees about PWS. It's made them think about what they do in the classroom. There are a ton of healthier "prizes" for good behavior for students. Whether it be an extra recess or a little trinket. Food does not need to be in the classroom unless for snacks at specific times. We give lists of healthy snacks to parents to send to school. We give ideas to the school for prizes. We teach the school lunch program about PWS so that the whole lunch system can be healthier. If we can get the schools healthier for our daughter, it helps ALL of the students there. PWS is such a life-threatening and life consuming syndrome, that if we can teach the school, where our daughter is at 7 hours a day, it's one small step toward helping our daughter stay fit and healthy.
My comment is a little random, I know, but I wanted to point out the big picture. That if we want our kids with PWS healthy, we HAVE to make our communities healthier. To do that, we need more awareness. Thank you for this video and challenge!

Robert Haydon Jones • about 14 years ago

Hooray for the research but my three cheers go to the people who work day after day on a one-to-one basis with my 27-year old son with PWS ( and his wife) to help him live his life to its full potential. Three cheers also for our democracy and our tax-payers who accept the responsibility and cost of caring for Special Needs people.

Jean RODRIGUES • about 14 years ago

Writing from France, I'm a father of a 13 years old boy called Luis. He has PWS. He's sleeping right now, but as he's always asking about research progress, I will tell him tomorrow morning that hundreds and maybe thousands of people in the US are also fighting and believing that some day we will be able to get rid of this terrible disease! I'm forwarding this link to my family & friends... Thank you all.

Gregory Vandall • about 14 years ago

Jean R -- tell him thousands. And tell him you love him every single day.

Betty Franchi • about 14 years ago

I am a Pre-K Special Ed teacher and have had two precious girls, Noel and Parker, with Prader-Willi. There are many challenges these wonderful kids (and their families) face but with the support of others, they will exceed their potential. They need our help. Please vote for my girls (and others with PWS). Thanks!

Randy Simpson • about 14 years ago

My wife Paula and I believe, my son Sam(12 years old with PWS) believes.
Not because we chose to believe but because we must believe.
Sam struggles every day with the obstacles that he was dealt with, not because he chose them. If this submission makes one researcher believe he may be able to solve this puzzle of obesity then it will benefit all in the world who struggles with their hunger. If this submission reaches one parent who would like to follow the PWS red,yellow and green diet then it was worth it. If this video inspires a parent to go for a walk with their child then it will change that one child's life.
One Small Step at at time is all it takes.
Keep voting it will help us all.

linda olivacz • about 14 years ago

Our grandson David was diagnosed with PWS at birth. We had never heard of this syndrome before. David is now a happy 4 yr old boy who will always be seeking out food every waking minute. He will face physical, mental, behavioral & emotional challenges every day. He is so lucky to have been born to wonderful loving & patient parents who will be hosting their second walkathon this August. Please vote for this devastating syndrome. Linda & Joe

Michael Tate • about 14 years ago

My Grandaughter was born with PWS and it was diagtnosed that first week. We had never heard of PWS and neither had any of our friends or, more amazing, neither had many doctors. I viewed people with excessive weight differently from there on. Perhaps they had PWS and did not know it. My aim is to educate everyone I meet so we can intensify the fight against obesity

Renay Compere • about 14 years ago

Wow! This community is amazing! Changing lives with one small step. I am so proud of all the families who struggle on a daily basis with PWS. I know the research we do will help millions and I am so honored to be part of that! Stay positive!!!

jennifer casteel • about 14 years ago

Let's Move! It's been a daily theme in our family since my now 12 year old son learned to crawl. Nick was born with PWS and exercise and healthy eating is literally a matter of life and death for him. We FIGHT OBESITY every day with walks, swimming, dancing, MOVING. We make healthy food choices rich in vitamins and minerals. We make daily decisions to fight PWS with the tools of exercise and well balanced food choices. Taking a week off is not an option, that's 10 pounds to weigh down my son's health and his spirit. I appreciate the opportunity that Mrs. Obama is giving all of us who battle obesity on a daily basis. EXERCISE CHANGES LIVES for the better and while I would never wish PWS on anyone I am so thankful that our PWS community gathers together time and again across America to support each other with walk-a-thons and to MOVE!

Jean RODRIGUES • about 14 years ago

@ Mark G.: I've just read the long post you wrote (4 days ago) and it's really moving... Your words are moving. Your video is moving... This community is moving!

Let's get everybody moving... and let's get everybody moved.
LET'S MOVE!!!

Thank U, Mark.

Jean RODRIGUES • about 14 years ago

@ Kristen C: Sorry but your post seems quite unfair to me... Why don't you just go vote for that video you're supporting, and post positive messages there?...

Besides, PWS concerns a large percentage of the population, as it deals with hunger disorder and (possibly morbid) obesity. PWS research programs, by helping to better understand hunger mechanisms and hopefully providing results to fight it will for sure benefit not only PWS children (and adults) but also EVERYONE in the US... and all around the world!

marsha bennett • about 14 years ago

I agree!!!, I have seen quit a few negative comments about such a great cause, I posted originally in the 1st week, I have a awesome
Grandson Named Benjamin he is 4 yrs old and was born with PWS
my daughter does such a great job with his diet and exercise, we as a family are doing 2 walks this summer for PWS here in Ohio we are walking as "Ben's Brigade", this is not only to help PWS but also raise awareness about the importance of living a healthy life style for all

Amy Logan • about 14 years ago

The PWS community is AMAZING!

Lesley Barretto • about 14 years ago

We have the most amazing grandaughter Ava who was 4 yesterday, life will be a struggle for Ava but she is so lucky to have wonderful parents, two brothers and lots of Aunties and Uncles who really love and care and are always willing to help her parents out whenever needed. Although Ava does not talk very well she understands everything and will be starting in main streem school in September with a helper as Ava currently has to wear a brace 23/7. She is a very pretty little girl and we her nana and grandad whom she adores love her and the family very much. These very special children go to very Special parentsxxxx

Take One SMALL Step!!

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