TheCPGroup.org Conference 2005

From October 19, 2005 - October 22, 2005 history was made at the Doubletree Hotel in Rockville, Maryland. 53 associates came together to discuss issues involving CP. There were several speakers, and time to socialize and make connections. Thanks for making this our biggest and best conference to date. Enjoy the slide show below, and look at the agenda.

Slide Show and Pictures

click here to view slide show pictures as thumbnails (takes a while to load)

Agenda

Oct. 19 --- Wednesday

7:00 PM --- Aging and Cerebral Palsy Adults with Cerebral Palsy frequently experience signs of aging such as poor balance and coordination, fatigue and pain at a much earlier age than do adults without a disability. This workshop will examine the symptoms of aging that adults with CP may encounter in early middle age, and discuss ways to avoid or alleviate these symptoms.

Presenter - June Isaacson Kailes

------

8:30 PM –-- Reception for conference participants and friends The reception provides an informal and relaxed atmosphere to meet new friends and renew old acquaintances. Complimentary hors d’oeuvres; bar service is available.

Oct. 20 --- Thursday

8:00 – 9:00 AM –-- Continental Breakfast

------

9:00 – 9: 30 AM --- Opening Remarks - Robert Watson and David Bauer

------

9:30 -1100 AM --- The CP Group – What Does Our Future Look Like?

The CP Group was formed in June, 2005, after our first national conference. Since then, membership has expanded, and our visibility has grown because of articles by members in Cerebral Palsy Magazine. Our web site continues to attract an increasing number of visitors because it provides information relevant to adults with CP. The Group is also attracting the interest of individuals (both disabled and non-disabled) who are concerned with the slow progress on issues confronting adults with CP and feel The Group could be instrumental in helping to solve these issues.

While the accomplishments of the past of the past 17 months are noteworthy, progress during the coming year will not come easily unless we strengthen ourselves as an organization. The CP Group needs to define its goals and develop a strategy for reaching these goals. Most importantly, The Group needs individuals willing to volunteer their skills and talents to defining these goals and then work to achieve them.

This session will be an open discussion of The Group’s agenda for the coming year. The session will be an opportunity for conference participants to become involved in planning that agenda and to participate in the work required to make the agenda a platform that addresses issues confronting adults with CP.

Co-Presenters – All conference participants

------

NOON – 1:00 PM – Lunch

------

1:30 – 3:00 PM - Big Sky United Cerebral Palsy is launching a multi-year advocacy project for people with cerebral palsy and other disabilities. Big Sky presents a unique opportunity for The CP Group to be involved in nationwide programs that will strengthen the ADA and advance the independence of people with CP.

Presenter - Stephen Bennett, CEO, United Cerebral Palsy

------

3:30 – 5:00 PM - Massage and Acupuncture – Can They Help You? Some adults with CP use acupuncture and massage to alleviate pain, spasticity, poor balance and other problems associated with CP. But these treatments are not always helpful, and adults should be aware of the benefits that can, and cannot, be expected. The presenter has treated adults with CP using both massage and acupuncture. Ms. Berberich is also a licensed practical nurse.

Presenter - Carole Berberich, LPN Mst Dipl ac (NCCAOM)

------

Dinner on your own

------

8:00 PM – Telling Our Stories – Everyone has several stories in their head about their CP. What is the story we tell to people who are able-bodied? What story do we tell when we talk among ourselves? What do we tell ourselves privately about CP? We will talk about telling some of these stories, talk about how they make us feel, and how they affect the way we see ourselves.

Moderator – Linda Mahler

October 21 --- Friday

8:00 – 9:00 AM – Continental Breakfast

------

9:00 – 11:00.AM -- Relationships and Intimacy – Relationships can be problematic for persons with and without disabilities. Therefore, having a disability usually requires attaining special skills as one seeks a wider a circle of acquaintances, friends and lovers. This workshop will be led by a nationally-recognized professional in the area of sexuality and disability who will offer suggestions that have helped people overcome barriers that a disability can pose. She will draw upon her own background as well as the experiences, triumphs and tragedies of people with CP attending this workshop.

Presenter – Mary Ann Carmody

------

Noon – 1:00 PM - Lunch

------

1:30 – 2:30 PM - Research – What’s on the Horizon? During the past ten years, major breakthroughs in medicine and technology have changed the way adults with CP manage pain, spasticity, tremors, mobility and problems associated with speech. Dr. Marjorie Garvey with discuss current and anticipated research trends and their implications for adults.

Presenter - Marjorie Garvey M.B., B.Ch., M.R.C.P.I., M.H.S.

------

2:30 – 3:30 PM -- Do Speech Problems Hinder Your Advocacy Skills? Harilyn Rousso is researching the extent to which a decline in speaking ability may hamper the advocacy skills of adults who are over 30 years of age. Some members of The CP Group have participated in the survey. Ms. Rousso will discuss her survey and the steps that might be taken to retain advocacy skills as one grows older.

Presenter - Harilyn Rousso

------

4:30 – 5:30 PM – Pain Management - An estimated two-thirds of people with CP experience pain, and higher levels of pain often accompany aging. Pain management includes heat, chiropractors, exercise (particularly swimming) non steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, bio-feedback, and other treatments, including surgery and a variety of complementary medicine treatments. But pain management programs can be lengthy and expensive, and no single method is satisfactory for everyone. This workshop will discuss options open to adults experiencing pain, as well as precautionary steps that can help avoid or minimize pain.

Presenter - Laura Vogtle, Ph.D

------

6:30 PM Dinner

------

8:00 PM – Gender Issues, Concurrent Sessions – The subjects discussed at these concurrent sessions will be determined by the participants. Moderators are:

Women – Harilyn Rousso
Men - Robert Watson

October 22 --- Saturday

8:00 – 9:00 AM – Continental Breakfast

------

9:00 – 11:00 AM Violence against people with CP and other disabilities - Studies show that people with CP and other disabilities are subject to a higher rate of violence than people without disabilities. Moreover, the violence often comes from family members or other persons known to the victim. Perhaps most appallingly, the victim may feel that he or she is forced to remain to remain in the abusive relationship because the perpetrator of the violence is the principle source of personal services for the person with the disability.

Co-presenters: Relana McDevitt, Executive Director, Deaf Abused Women’s Network (DAWN) &
Charmaine Lydon, MSW, LGSW

------

11:30 AM - 12:30 PM -- Conference Wrap up – Formation of Committees & Planning for the 2006 Conference

[Return to Top]

[Home] [Our Associates] [Research] [Literature] [Need a Mentor?]
[Doctors] [Videos] [Links] [Conferences] [Donations]