Individuals living with rare life-threatening genetic disorder get new residential home

March 3, 2011 - PRLog -- Dan Gowdy, (616) 813-1000, dgowdy@hopenetwork.org
Craig Clark (616) 550-2736, craig@clarkcommunication.com


Walker, MI – Hope Network opens the doors Friday to its second Grand Rapids-area residential home for individuals living with Prader-Willi Syndrome (PWS) (http://www.hopenetwork.org/Developmental-Services/Specialized-Care/Residential-Services/Prader-Willi-Residential-Program.aspx), a rare but life-threatening genetic disorder.  This 4-bedroom, 2-bathroom home in Northeast Grand Rapids was recently renovated to meet the needs of adults living with PWS.  PWS is a disorder in which individuals have a constant feeling of hunger due to a flaw in the hypothalamus in their brain.  Left untreated, PWS can be life-threatening.

Hope Network operates a similar home in Grand Rapids and is the only agency in Michigan with special certified residential programs serving individuals with this unique diagnosis.  

The invite-only March 4 ribbon-cutting ceremony is expected to draw local and state political figures, and has already garnered public accolades from area legislators.

State Senator and State Rep. taking notice of Hope’s efforts

Hope Network’s experience and expertise in tackling and solving specialty health care needs in our community is a wonderful example of investing in our community,” said Senator Mark Jansen (http://www.senate.michigan.gov/gop/senators/Jansen.asp?Di...) (R) 28th District.  “We are appreciative Hope Network has stepped up to meet this challenge.”

“Hope Network has been a tremendous asset for the West Michigan community for nearly 50 years,” said Representative Lisa Posthumus Lyons (http://www.gophouse.com/welcome.asp?District=86), (R) 86th District. “A dedicated program in Walker for individuals with PWS is another example of Hope Network’s value to our community.”

Two decades of leadership
Hope Network’s other Grand Rapids-area residential home for PWS, called the Elmhurst Home, opened two decades ago and has successfully served this population and has remained at full capacity.  

“We continue to receive inquiries for our Elmhurst home, but our beds are full,” said Phil Weaver, President and CEO of Hope Network.  “There is such a need in the community for this population that using our experience to open up another home tailored to them seemed like an obvious next step.”

In the past, Michigan Community Mental Health agencies (http://www.michigan.gov/mdch) have been forced to make placements outside the state due to the few options for care in Michigan, but the expansion of Hope Network’s PWS program in Walker, individuals will be able to live closer to their families and provide jobs for 12 more Grand Rapids area residents.

About the home
The newly renovated Kinney home is a 4-bedroom, 2 bath home, but plans are already underway to expand. An additional 2 bedrooms, bathroom and exercise room are slated for spring construction.  

About PWS
People with PWS have a chronic feeling of hunger that leads to excessive eating (food and non-food items) and without a structured environment can lead to morbid obesity, organ failure with life-threatening consequences. The urge to eat is physiological and overwhelming, difficult to control, and requires constant vigilance.  In addition to their involuntary focus on food, individuals also tend to have obsessive compulsive behaviors that are not related to food, such as repetitive thoughts and verbalizations, collecting and hoarding of possessions, picking at skin irritations, and a strong need for routine and predictability.  This program provides the supports and structure necessary to create opportunities for individuals to live as independently as possible.

About Hope Network:
http://www.hopenetwork.org
Hope Network is a non-profit Christian organization founded in 1963 to empower people with disabilities or disadvantages to achieve their highest level of independence.  We provide a continuum of specialized care for those with brain and spinal cord injuries, mental illness, developmental disabilities, substance use disorders and other disadvantages.  Our support services include transportation, subsidized housing, case management, community based services and workforce development.  Hope Network cares for the whole person addressing the social, mental, physical, emotional, and spiritual needs.  With corporate offices in Grand Rapids, Hope Network provides services in 180 plus locations, by 2,300 staff to people in more than 50 counties.  Hope Network serves about 18,000 people throughout Michigan.