I'm so agog and still basking in it...as well as being pooped...not enough of me to attend all i wanted to see, so will ANXIOUSLY wait for the DVD to come out....
with suitcases in my livingroom, and im talkin MANY suitcases, because we had just returned from one trip, and flipped to go to KC! (poor sarge...he's the best hubby in the world as trip #1 involved my parents! ha!)
I slept last night in my bed that im now trading in for that heavenly one i slept on at the westin!
www.westin-hotelsathome.com/index.aspx?sessionID=c78ed3d2-d957-499e-b27b-e079a11c0e74 I cannot thank the one that put this on ENOUGH!! You did the state proud, and set the bar for ANYONE that is crazy enough to attempt to match it!
I'll post up the individual moments...as they need to be...but will tell you i SO enjoyed meeting everyone from uno (another highlite to the whole thing, what an AWESOME get-together!!)...i SO enjoyed meeting up with parents i havent seen in awhile...and i SO enjoyed making NEW friends spontaneously ....sharing mommy info....exchanging addys....and keeping the good feeling going across the US, and beyond.
I laughed when i logged on this morning, as my yahoo popped up...so did a dozen windows, and the moms have "waitin on E to upload pics" as their 'away messages" ....cracked me UP!
I Bawled all through Karen Gaffny's Keynote...she is AMAZING, and the theme of her speech was "they said i couldnt do it, and i did...they said WE can't do...AND WE CAN!!" Inspriational for all parents to hear....imagine the possiblities....
We got a chance to speak with Chris Burke at length....who BLEW ME AWAY....he's just like talkin to one of my sons....
Even the hotel was running stories on their in house channels...of wonderful Self Advocates...Adrian Friendman caught my eye, and we were late to something, because I could not tear myself away from it.....WHAT A BONUS!! What DETAIL!
I laughed at the young couple seated next to me at the Gaffny Keynote....she was covered in tears and snot..makeup running, then I showed her my towel ....NEVER, as a parent, attend a Self Advocate Speaking...without proper equipment! We had to chat and run, as this event was on time and running like a fine swiss watch...but even on the run, the connection was made and more new friends with babies on the way, were secured in the exchange.
I Loved getting to know all the kids...i had an enhanced child introduce herself to me, tell me she was 6 years old, and what school she attended WITH her favorite classes detailed.
WOW!! KNOCK ME OVER WITH A FEATHER!
I learned SO much more about the Spectrum that is DS...and it is a spectrum....And the colors that make up this rainbow are freakin PHENOMENAL! All parents gathered to share the pride in our children, and compare notes...in an enviornment that promoted a unity I can't remember feeling before. People i did not know, would walk up...look at molly...and just start BLURTING out questions about potty training...walking...sitting still....WHATEVER! You KNOW they have never had the opportunity to just TALK to someone, who wasnt going to gossip, or berate them for having questions...
I also learned how important it is that we take the bond in this room, and get it out there to the parents...there are SO many of them struggling on their own. One thing that is happening is
www.beachcenter.org we need to all get there...and get it up and running with the same finesse we do in here! We need to SHARE IT!
oh...i did say still agog..did i not??? can ya tell???
again,,,
THANK YOU
THANK YOU
THANK YOU...the ripple effect that is coming, will be like the aftershocks of an earthquake...you have no idea of the lives that you touched, and are about to touch!
Oh...and mostly?? I am extremly humbled by the generosity of our hosts....please let me help....this time...tell me where to send the $$$$
next time?? I really want to be a part of it!
e
*who acutally started bawling when typing this*
now, to find the cards and get uploading...before i start losing friends!! ha!