Breakthrough - Osteogenesis Imperfecta Foundation

2004 Conference Information
Conference is designed for everyone in the community
The OI Foundation’s National Conference is designed to
meet the needs of the entire OI community, including people
with OI, their families and friends. The information, resources
and opportunites for support and networking are abundant,
regardless of age, type or severity.
While the OI Foundation makes a great effort to ensure
the conference is accessible to those with mobility issues,
this is in no way meant to imply the conference is only for
those with the more severe forms of OI.
When developing the program, special care is taken to
ensure that the information
and support sessions
cover the entire spectrum
of living with OI. The OI
Foundation is always developing
new resources
and support information
for all members of the OI
Community, and those resources
are showcased
at the conference in the Resource Room. The program features
new speakers and topics each year to meet the needs
of the OI community, based on input from surveys and trends
seen in the 7,000 questions and requests for support the OI
Foundation responds to each year. This year more than 150
people made suggestions, and the scope of the program has
grown considerably (see previous page).
While conference is intended to be an information resource,
there are a number of social events that take place
during the weekend. The friendships developed at these
events, and throughout the course of the conference, are a
source of support and comfort that lasts a lifetime.
Meeting with other people or families dealing with OI is a
wonderful opportunity to discuss living successfully with OI
with those who have “been there, done that.” It’s an opportunity
to learn from others’ successes and failures, and to gain
insight and suggestions for dealing with all aspects of living
with OI, from childbearing to living independently.
Conference is also one of the few times people with OI can
interact directly with the nation’s top researchers and medical
professionals on a personal
or professional basis.
Almost all of the
speakers at conference
will be available to respond
to individual questions
or concerns in addition
to the information
they’ll share at their sessions.
Attendance by a broad spectrum of people from the OI
Community is critical to the conference’s success, and to the
health of the OI Foundation. No matter how well you’re “connected”
to the OI community, the biennial national conference
is absolutely the best way to improve your insight, information,
and support structure.
If you’re still not sure whether or not you should attend, ask
someone who’s been to conference recently, or feel free to
contact the Foundation at (800) 981-2663 or by writing to
bonelink@oif.org.
“No matter how you’re connected to the OI
Community, the biennial national conference is
absolutely the best way to improve your insight,
information and support structure.”
Your namebadge will be your ticket to all events in Dallas
The OI Foundation will require all registered
attendees of the 2004 National
Conference to display their namebadge
at all times when participating in scheduled
events.
The new requirment is in response to
increased awareness of security and
safety concerns, and will help the Foundation
control costs during the course of
the weekend.
The name badges in 2004 will have a
space provided on the back– where it
can’t be seen– for all attendees to write
in emergency contact information. This
will assist Foundation and Hotel staff
members to locate friends or family in
the event of a medical emergency.
Additionally, the Adams Mark Hotel
reserves the right to restrict access to
the hotel and convention areas to registered
guests, for security reasons. Your
name badge identifies you as an authorized
guest and will ensure your ability
to enter the hotel property without delay.
By requiring the name badge to be displayed
at all functions, hotel and Foundation
staff members can also ensure
that only registered attendees have access
to the continental breakfasts, break
beverages, receptions and awards dinner.
This will prevent other hotel and conference
center guests from helping
themselves to breaks and running up the
Foundation’s catering bills during the
weekend.
Name badges will be given to all registered
guests upon arrival, including children
and teens. They may be pinned or
hung from mobility devices or strollers
or worn, but must be displayed at all
times.
For more information, contact the
Foundation’s Events Manager, Cate
Feeser, at cfeeser@oif.org or by calling
(800) 981-2663.
Information is also be available online
at www.oif.org.
Page 11 Breakthrough Winter 2004