Travel Scholarships

Maria Benedekova

PWS Slovakia, German/English to Slovak Translator, Slovakia

I am a freelance translator of German and English to Slovak language. My hometown is Košice, the second biggest town in Slovakia, with population of about 250,000 people. In 2006, I was one of the founding members of the PWS organization in Slovakia.

I am a mother of a 22-year-old son Tomas who has PWS. After completing his education in 2022, Tomas started attending a day care center for individuals with special needs in our hometown where my husband works as a care provider.

At the conference in Berlin I hope to collect some tips about daily routine for young adults with PWS living in a residential setting that we could use in the day center our son visits. There are two more young adults with PWS visiting this facility. I hope to hear about some approaches from experienced professional care providers who work with young adults with PWS on how to schedule their day, keep them focused and how to respond to their behavior challenges.

Saoirse Kavanagh

Trinity College Dublin, Ireland

Saoirse is an Assistant Psychologist from Dublin, Ireland who completed a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology at Maynooth University and went on to complete a Masters in Applied Psychology at Trinity College Dublin. During her studies, Saoirse collaborated with the Prader-Willi Syndrome Association Ireland and carried out 2 research projects investigating the well-being of siblings of individuals with Prader-Willi syndrome, shedding light on their individual experiences.

Being selected as a recipient of this grant is a tremendous honor for me. It acknowledges my commitment and contributions to the field of Prader-Willi syndrome research and caregiving. As a travel grant recipient, I have the invaluable opportunity to attend the conference, engage with leading experts, participate in discussions, and network with peers from around the world. This experience will not only enhance my knowledge and understanding of the condition but also enable me to exchange ideas, collaborate on initiatives, and ultimately make meaningful contributions toward improving the lives of individuals affected by Prader-Willi syndrome.

Van Dinh Thi Thanh

Psychologist, Morning Star Institute, Vietnam

I am Van, a psychologist from Vietnam. I have been working for 7 years in a clinic at Morning Star Center, a center for children with intellectual disabilities in Vietnam and I provide assessment for children with intellectual disabilities, including children with PWS and provide consultancy to their families. 

I hope to improve my knoweldge about PWS and update new methods of intervention for people with PWS as well as meet and learn more from care-givers and professionals who support people with PWS around the world.

Dr. Paula Arce Sanz

Dietician Nutritionist, Asociación Colombiana Síndrome de Prader-Willi, Colombia

Paula Arce Sanz is Medical Director of the Colombian SPW Association and a Dietitian Nutritionist from the Catholic University of Manizales. She has a diploma in Pediatric Clinical Nutrition at the Favarolo University in Buenos Aires (Argentina) and at the Javeriana University (Colombia). Master in Pediatric Clinical Nutrition at the University of Granada (Spain). 14 years of experience in Maternal and Child care. Certified in Pediatric Nutritional Support. Certified in Pediatric Nutritional Support. Benutrition Cali Manager.