About Us

Niamh & Matthew

We are teachers working internationally. We met in Togo, West Africa and most recently lived in Tashkent, Uzbekistan. We both love to travel and visit new places....especially by bike.

Matthew is from England and teaches Economics. He is an experienced tourer with a goal of cycling around the world.

Niamh is from Ireland and teaches Elementary. She is new to touring but is enjoying the challenge.

Matthew's 1st bike tour - Australia

Matthew's 2nd bike tour: UK

The Reason

My beautiful little nephew Max was born with Prader-Willi syndrome.

If you had not heard of this syndrome, it shows there is a need to raise awareness of it. PWSA UK needs your support, so please visit the donation page I have set up if you would like to help to fund research into this genetic condition which affects 1 in every 20,000 people worldwide.

By displaying their logo, we hope to open dialogue as we travel.

Thank you for your support.

Matthew

What is PWS?

Prader-Willi syndrome (often called PWS) is a complex medical condition that affects both males and females throughout their lives. People with PWS may need extra support with health and development and in the areas of education and work.

People with PWS may present some challenging learning and emotional behaviours and unusual medical issues. The syndrome typically causes low muscle tone with motor development delays, short stature if not treated with growth hormone, and incomplete sexual development. Most people with PWS are floppy at birth with initial difficulties in feeding, but then in early childhood begin to show increased appetite which can lead to excessive eating and life-threatening obesity.

Although PWS presents a group of features that occur together, it is important to remember that every child is an individual. Not every person with PWS will have all of these characteristics. Presentations will also vary in intensity from person to person. Increasingly, early diagnosis gives our children a more positive start with prompt intervention and sensible eating plans.

The name of the syndrome is derived from the names of two of the doctors who first described the pattern of characteristics associated with PWS in 1956.

For more information, visit the PWSA website.