A retired Danbury High School teacher and Athletic Director is receiving an award for work with a rare disease foundation.  The National Organization for Rare Disorders will present the Impact Award to Norm Winnerman for his years of service as a pioneer, mentor and advocate with the Cornelia de Lange Syndrome Foundation. 

Awardees will be honored on May 15th at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in Ohio. 

Winnerman has been a part of the CdLS Foundation since 1989, when his granddaughter, Alison, was born with the rare genetic syndrome. She died suddenly at the age of four and a half, the result of a medical complication associated with the syndrome.  Officials say he was inducted into the de Lange Society for the many decades the he has contributed creative vision, innovative ideas and vital assistance to improve the quality of services and programs available to people with CdLS and their families. 

The U.S. Air Force veteran started working in the Danbury school system in 1962, and was athletic director from 1978-1992.  He has served on the Danbury Common Council, the War Memorial Board of Directors, Danbury Parks and Recreation Commission, and the Board of Trustees of the United Jewish Center.