South Africa

I have recently returned from South Africa where I was invited to come and talk to parents and professionals about PWS.  I spent nearly a month there holding full day, and half-day workshops, and giving lectures at the university hospitals.  I started off in Cape Town where I met a great group of parents who were enthusiastic enough to want to start a branch of the PWS Association for the Western Cape.  I also spoke to a large group of medical personnel, and I also had time to spend looking around the beautiful coast of Cape Town.  Rika and Anli were wonderful tour guides, taking us down to the South Cape, and up Table Mountain, around the bays, and through some of the most beautiful scenery imaginable.  We (my husband came with me) were also hosted by Jannie and Tilla who took us to Stellenbosch and to Langenbaan reserve where we had our first taste of wildlife ("you have no four-footed native animals in New Zealand??"  they asked, amazed). 

Table Mountain

From Cape Town to Bloemfontein for two academic seminars, two workshops for parents and teachers,  and a chance to meet with many caregivers.  I quickly learned that there was quite a difference in delivering specialised services to those with disabilities, which is, of course, unique to each country.  But here it is special with some very dedicated and willing people wanting to do their best for those with PWS in spite of many difficulties.  We were hosted so well, and taken to see a wonderful programme designed to breed and help protect the cheetah, "The Cheetah Experience". 

Rika and Janet

From Bloemfontein to Richard's Bay where we were hosted by Janet, Brian and their lovely sons, and shown a little more of the extraordinary wildlife and scenery of Africa.  To Durban for an academic meeting, then to Johannesburg for another academic meeting, Pretoria for two workshops, and at the end of my trip, having spoken to well over 400 people, we went to the Timbavati Reserve in the Kruger National Park for 4 days.  To experience Africa like this is utterly wonderful, and I would return in a heartbeat!  Our most grateful thanks to all our generous hosts during our time in SA.  It was an inspirational time.

I know that IPWSO and South Africa will continue to explore all the possibilities of improving the lives of those with PWS and I look forward to strengthening our relationship.

Linda Thornton