Westhoughton nursery turns orange for Prader-Willi Syndrome Awareness Month

Staff and children at St James' Daisy Hill CE Primary School Nursery dressed in orange, which is the official colour for Prader-Willi Syndrome (PWS).

PWS causes a wide range of physical symptoms and learning difficulties - but the symptoms from child to  child.

One of the children at the nursery, four-year-old Ruby Hill-Barlow, has PWS.

She was diagnosed with the condition in June 2020.

This month is Prader Willi Awareness Month

Nursery manager, Heather Whalley, aged 33, explained why the nursery decided to do this.

She said: “Ruby’s mum mentioned it to us, saying can we bring some cake in to make people aware. We got together as a team and thought should we do a bit more.

Nursery staff with Ruby Hill-Barlow, all dressed in orange

“We spoke to the children's parents and said to dress your kids in orange.”

Heather said: “We’re all special, we’re all different. Ruby’s a bit different but she’s still a little girl, she still wants to do all the normal things."

Ruby was diagnosed with Prader-Willi Syndrome almost two years ago

Heather highlighted how Ruby has come a long way since joining the nursery.

Heather said: "When she was first at the nursery, Ruby could hardly walk. Now she's so much better."

A weekly nursery note that informs parents of goings on at the nursery gave information on Ruby and her journey with Prader-Willi.

It said: “Despite the difficulties that Ruby faces on a daily basis, she comes to nursery every day and gives everything her very best effort and she doesn’t let anything stop her if she has something in mind.”

The note raising awareness of the nursery dressing up in orange

For more information visit: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/prader-willi-syndrome/.