Our 28th annual PMD Family Support Conference was another wonderful success! We had 20 families from 13 states and Canada. We had 19 PMD males, 1 PMLD girl, and 1 SPG male ranging in age from age six months to 37 years old. We had five new families attending for their first time us this year, but as always, our other PMD families made them feel right at home! We also had several Grandparents with us again this year. It is always great when the extended families members can join us, it encourages them to see the other families and children. As rare as it is for the PMD parents to meet others facing the same challenges they are, it is even more unique for Grandparents, Aunts, and Uncles to meet others like themselves, trying to support their family members who are caring for PMD children.
We had several families who came in on Wednesday and Thursday, so, we did a "small" group dinner at Steak 'N Shake on Thursday.
Friday some families saw doctors at Riley Children's Hospital, while other families chose to visit the Indianapolis Children's Museum. On Friday evening we had pizza for dinner and a PT presentation by Dr. Carolyn Sobieski.
Saturday we had the doctors presentations at the hotel as usual. This year's speakers were: Dr. Larry Walsh (Neurology), Dr. Karen Moody (Palliative Care), Dr. Celanie Christensen (Genetics), Dr. Ameet Dafarty (Pulmonary), and Dr. Joseph Croffie (GI). We were able to live stream the medical presentations this year, which we feel is a nice addition for those unable to join us. Jill Andrews, one of our PMD moms, also recorded the presentations for us and we are making them available upon request. Thanks to Jill's friends, Keith and Sari, we had audio equipment again this year to assure everyone could hear the doctors. Our wonderful group of volunteers (Kayleigh, Taylor, Shari, Abby, Shirley Jo, and Jayden) provided child care during the medical presentations. For lunch we had Subway sandwiches and Saturday evening we did our traditional group dinner to Buca Di Beppo both of which was provided by donations. The older guys also took their annual trip to Hooters, complete with pictures and T-shirts! There was a small group trip to the Zoo on Sunday. As always we had many opportunities for visiting and late night chats.
This year's conference was, as always, a great success. We cannot say thanks enough for all the generous cash donations, gift card, Amazon purchases, time, talents, etc.! It really helped us stretch our budget. You all make everything we do a true labor of love!
If you would like to view the doctors presentations from the PMD Family Support Conference please send us a message using the "Contact Us" link at the bottom of the page, we will have them available asap.
If you would like to make a tax deductible donation for our Annual PMD Family Support Conference you may do so by clicking here.
We had several families who came in on Wednesday and Thursday, so, we did a "small" group dinner at Steak 'N Shake on Thursday.
Friday some families saw doctors at Riley Children's Hospital, while other families chose to visit the Indianapolis Children's Museum. On Friday evening we had pizza for dinner and a PT presentation by Dr. Carolyn Sobieski.
Saturday we had the doctors presentations at the hotel as usual. This year's speakers were: Dr. Larry Walsh (Neurology), Dr. Karen Moody (Palliative Care), Dr. Celanie Christensen (Genetics), Dr. Ameet Dafarty (Pulmonary), and Dr. Joseph Croffie (GI). We were able to live stream the medical presentations this year, which we feel is a nice addition for those unable to join us. Jill Andrews, one of our PMD moms, also recorded the presentations for us and we are making them available upon request. Thanks to Jill's friends, Keith and Sari, we had audio equipment again this year to assure everyone could hear the doctors. Our wonderful group of volunteers (Kayleigh, Taylor, Shari, Abby, Shirley Jo, and Jayden) provided child care during the medical presentations. For lunch we had Subway sandwiches and Saturday evening we did our traditional group dinner to Buca Di Beppo both of which was provided by donations. The older guys also took their annual trip to Hooters, complete with pictures and T-shirts! There was a small group trip to the Zoo on Sunday. As always we had many opportunities for visiting and late night chats.
This year's conference was, as always, a great success. We cannot say thanks enough for all the generous cash donations, gift card, Amazon purchases, time, talents, etc.! It really helped us stretch our budget. You all make everything we do a true labor of love!
If you would like to view the doctors presentations from the PMD Family Support Conference please send us a message using the "Contact Us" link at the bottom of the page, we will have them available asap.
If you would like to make a tax deductible donation for our Annual PMD Family Support Conference you may do so by clicking here.
