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Post by faithhope on May 4, 2010 11:48:27 GMT -5
Hi!!!! Sorry I haven't had the time to get on here at all. I am in a big hurry right now, I will try to make time tonight to catch up.
I do have a question though. We are trying to decide whether it is worth it for us to go to the NDSC Convention in July in Orlando. We only live an 1 1/2 hours away, so not that big of a deal. I really think we should go, but my very frugal ;D husband found out that it would be $245 for us to go, even though we should get reimbursed up to $250. He is all panicked and wants to know if anyone has gone if it is worth it. I read the schedule of wrkshops and he was like, we already have ST OT and all that! Oh boy he doesn't get it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1 FRUSTRATING!!!! Come on, he loves his little boy, why is it so hard to spend some money to possibly learn things and meet families!
OK can you tell I am pissed.
So Please someone help, give us info. We have Noah who is 2 and Isabella who is 1.
Gotta go, thanks!
Jessika
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Post by momofrussell on May 4, 2010 14:40:17 GMT -5
YES IT'S WORTH IT!!!! And you have to understand beyond the workshops, the whole experience is a wonderful one! "Oh the places you will go and people you will meet on this journey"  Keep that in mind when doing this or other things similiar..... I say since it's in your backyard, go to it! A. |
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Post by Googsmom aka Jennifer on May 4, 2010 15:51:22 GMT -5
Go Go Go!!!!!!
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Post by Jackie on May 4, 2010 16:11:01 GMT -5
YES! YES! YES!
As someone who has gone at least every other year since Emily was 3 I can't say enough good things about it. I will say that the first time you go you might be overwhelmed because there will be so many good workshops and it is usually impossible to fit them all in. Also you will be torn between going in to workshops and networking in the lobbies with all the other families. But its a great way to look ahead and see families with children older than Noah and to meet them.
Do it!....really Do.
Jackie
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Post by Emilysmom on May 4, 2010 20:21:03 GMT -5
Jessika,
The very first conference we attended was when Emily was about Noah's age, and we really struggled (financially, time off from work, had to leave a sick older sibling behind, etc) to make it there. But, we made it and thoroughly enjoyed it..........SO much more than we dreamed that we would!! We had to split up at times so that we could go to even more sessions. DH would go to one, while I went to another and then we'd share our notes. The sharing session for Moms and Dads together was the BEST experience! ! ! We came home with so many great ideas for how to help Emily, and we were so glad to have met all the other parents; especially the parents whose children were Emily's age. It is totally worth the trip!!!!!
And, as Noah gets older, it continues to be a great experience.........you always learn new things, and you can meet up with parents you met this year!
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Post by alisonzmom on May 4, 2010 21:43:42 GMT -5
Jessika,
If there is any way possible definitely GO!!!! You will come away with such positive energy, it's hard to describe! Yes, Noah is getting OT, ST, & PT now but the information you'll get there will be specifically geared to DS. I came home with so very much information and so many new ideas to share with Alison's therapists... things they hadn't known about that turned out to really be effective strategies for working with Alison!
And I get what you're saying about your DH.... mine is very reluctant to spend money on something that he considers a luxury ( that was how he described the first conference I went to in Kansas City a couple of years ago!) but he's has already said that depending on where it is next year, he thinks it would be good for me to go again!!! I really think that he'll "get it" when he sees what a positive experience it is and just how much info there is to be gained!
And like Jackie says it is tough choosing between going to every possible workshop you can squeeze in and just soaking up all the joy and happiness there is in just visiting and meeting new people and knowing that everybody else is there for the same reason - because they love someone with DS!
So, again, in a word..... GO!!!!! You won't regret it!
Barb
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Post by Kristin on May 4, 2010 23:07:34 GMT -5
Definitely Yes! I went last summer to the one in Sacramento by myself and I still learned a lot! I went to a lot of workshops that related to future issues, such as adolesence. I wanted more information to prepare me for possibilities. Aside from the workshops, I really enjoyed the inspirational speakers at the main forums. It is truly an enriching experience. I can't wait until my daughters are old enough to attend the youth programs, too!
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Post by laurasmom on May 5, 2010 5:38:22 GMT -5
Definitely go!!!! The experience is so wonderful!
We went to our first convention when Laura was 14. When we were leaving, my husband asked me why we hadn't done this sooner!
Sharon
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Post by Jackie on May 5, 2010 10:44:43 GMT -5
I am trying soooo hard to get a family from Amarillo to go...
Wish we could but Vegas is getting our coins...so next yr for sure!
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Post by momofrussell on May 5, 2010 12:47:26 GMT -5
I am hoping now that the conference has been at polar ends for a few years they will bring it back towards the middle a bit, for next year! I'd LOVE for it to be in St. Louis! LOL
A.
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Post by faithhope on May 5, 2010 21:41:10 GMT -5
Thanks Everyone!!!! Your encouraging responses convinced him that we must go. Not only did we register for the conference, and book our hotel we also joined NDSC. We are very lucky that it is right in our back yard and have no excuse not to go. I am soooo excited = ) = ) = )
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Post by faithhope on May 5, 2010 21:44:31 GMT -5
OOops forgot to mention, Is anybody from Unomas land going to be attending ;D??
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Post by Jackie on May 6, 2010 7:44:23 GMT -5
It IS time for middle America for a location...they have already had one in KC, Dallas, and Denver...I know they have to have it where there is a large active parent group to support it. Certainly couldn't have it here in Amarillo....LOL.
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Post by faithhope on May 6, 2010 15:06:02 GMT -5
Aww that is too bad! That isn't fair they need to have them in the middle too!!!! Pray that one day they will for you all.
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Post by momofcourt on May 12, 2010 7:02:44 GMT -5
Hi, My name is Valerie and I have a 8y/o daughter Courtney that has DS. We live in Alachua near Gainesville. We will be going to the convention along with a few other families from this area that have kids with ds. I haven't been to this Convention but have been to the Family Cafe for the last 4 years. I always enjoy going. Hope to see you there! My little girl is the one in the sun glasses. Attachments:
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Keep that in mind when doing this or other things similiar..... I say since it's in your backyard, go to it! 
]
&
Susan, Proud mom of Michael (32), Justin (25) Emily (22ds), and Jordan (20).
