When we last left off, we were completing day one of the American Academy of Developmental Medicine and Dentistry (AADMD) Conference. A recap here.
This years conference is in conjunction with The Special Olympics 2014 USA Games, the Special Olympics Healthy Athletes Program, and The National Task Group(NTG) on Intellectual Disabilities and Dementia Practices.
The event was so jam packed with great speakers, panels and networking that our heads were (happily) spinning. Here, in no particular order, are just SOME of the highlights of day’s 2 and 3:
- Sherry Wheelock, President/CEO Special Olympics Florida, led a discussion featuring stories from families and self advocates about family issues as people with I/DD age including Reverend F. Hank Hilton’s bittersweet story of growing up with a sister with Down’s Syndrome, and her journey through Alzheimer’s Disease.
- Our grantee Debbie Spitalnik, PhD Executive Director Boggs Center, led a discussion with public policy experts, including Donna Meltzer of NADDC and Nancy Thaler, Executive Director of NASDDDS.
- A thought provoking call to action by Dr. Joe Dutkowsky about the need to stop the trend of aborting fetuses with Down Syndrome and other disabilities following prenatal testing.
- A tour of Special Olympics Healthy Athletes Screenings by AADMD President Matt Holder, M.D.
- A presentation Rick Guidotti, founder and director of Positive Exposure. Wow, Not a dry eye in the house. Positive Exposure utilizes photography and video to transform public perceptions of people living with genetic, physical and behavioral differences – from albinism to autism.
- Ari Ne’eman, our grantee and friend, along with Samantha Crane, also of ASAN, outlined the benefits of Supported Decision Making in healthcare. Ari also won the AADMD Katie Beckett Self Advocate Award!
Ari Ne’eman is 2014 AAMD Katie Beckett Self Advocate Award Winner
Please let us know if you have any questions about AAMD. The value of the collaborative nature of the organization and of this conference cannnot be overstated. Stay tuned for a full conference pictorial….
Great work AADMD!
