Re: Need lots more details on AJAO Conf in San Diego

[Guest guest]

Stacia, the rooms are 142.00 per night plus tax and the conference runs July 22-25. Activities are plentiful. During the day (9-5ish) ther are multiple sessions to choose from for yourself and the hubby. Topics for familes range from:

disease specific info (AS/Poly/pauci/systemic/lupus/ scleroderma/etc...

School Issues

medication

open discussion

therapy

alternative treatments

family

and the list goes on. I have been to many and the topics vary each year from location to location and I have not seen the agenda as of yet. I should get info soon and will pass along

For the kids and their siblings there are days of fun activities. Arts/crafts/music/swimming/scavenger hunts and the childrens leaders are always fabulous!

There is a break at lunch time where you pick up the kiddos and then return them to there sessions after lunch and you continue with yours.

There are opening and closing ceremonies (and the children usually participate in this one), usually very very nice!

The evenings are yours to do what you want. Some tour while others stay back at the hotel and meet up with their new found friends.

There is a lot to do and you will not be bored! It is a fabulous experience and I cannot wait to meet everyone!!!

I hope this helps and I will pass info along as I get it..

Hugs and smiles!

Donna

[Guest guest]

Stacia,

These truly are family conferences. The

siblings are as much a part of this as the kids with arthritis. Certainly not

everyone is able to bring the entire family~~ There are plenty who send just

one parent and the child with arthritis. For the kids, though, attending a

conference is a great way to gain a better understanding of what is going on

with their sibling. My older kids have gained a great deal from attending these

conferences…….. including some good friends! And my youngest, who has never known

without arthritis, has loved being a part of these conferences. There’s

a lot of education for the kids, but also lots of fun. How old are you other

children? Send Bitner an email, as she should have the children’s

schedules available.

Liz

Need lots more

details on AJAO Conf in San Diego

Hi all,

Now that I've gotten all excited about the

conference, I brought it

up to my husband last night again, and he kind of

blew up when I

said we were all going, meaning all five of

us. I guess he always

thought just Hunter and I were going. I

won't get into further

emotions here, but I need more details of the

agenda, kids

activities, etc. I can't find anything on

the AF website other than

the date and location. I don't even know the

cost of the conference

or hotel.

Can somebody give me a " dump " on what

they know for this year or

what has happened at past conferences (as much

detail as possible)?

Thanks so much for all of your help all the time!!

Stacia and Hunter,7,systemic,iritis

[Guest guest]

Also - the cost of the conference is $150 for a family of four. I

forget what the ind. cost is. They break the kids into 12 different

age groups and have activies and learning sessions depending on what

is age appropriate. They provide care all day so the parents can

attend all sessions. You do get your child for lunch and are

responsible for giving out your own meds.

I also found out if you need a refridge in your room that is $10

extra per night and request it early...

Hope this helps!

Alia and Caroline, age 2, poly and uveitis

> Stacia, the rooms are 142.00 per night plus tax and the conference

runs July

> 22-25. Activities are plentiful. During the day (9-5ish) ther are

multiple

> sessions to choose from for yourself and the hubby. Topics for

familes range from:

> disease specific info (AS/Poly/pauci/systemic/lupus/

scleroderma/etc...

> School Issues

> medication

> open discussion

> therapy

> alternative treatments

> family

> and the list goes on. I have been to many and the topics vary each

year from

> location to location and I have not seen the agenda as of yet. I

should get

> info soon and will pass along

> For the kids and their siblings there are days of fun activities.

> Arts/crafts/music/swimming/scavenger hunts and the childrens

leaders are always fabulous!

> There is a break at lunch time where you pick up the kiddos and

then return

> them to there sessions after lunch and you continue with yours.

> There are opening and closing ceremonies (and the children usually

> participate in this one), usually very very nice!

> The evenings are yours to do what you want. Some tour while others

stay back

> at the hotel and meet up with their new found friends.

> There is a lot to do and you will not be bored! It is a fabulous

experience

> and I cannot wait to meet everyone!!!

> I hope this helps and I will pass info along as I get it..

> Hugs and smiles!

> Donna

[Guest guest]

thanks for the insight

Stacia

[Guest guest]

thanks so much Donna!!!!

Stacia