Chicagoland educational conference Dec 5th

msmything · Post by **msmything** » Sat Nov 07, 2009 11:35 pm

I've been working really hard to get together an educational conference for MS folksaround here that had no input from pharmaceutical companies.
I DID IT.
MSF conducted an online poll asking people to rank their 3 biggest concerns. They were maintaining mobility, financial protection, and fatigue.
The line up I got includes a lawyer/estate planner who helps folks with chronic disease protect their assets.
A nutritionist who will speak about following an ms friendly diet while keeping it realistically affordable.
Also a guy who has ms, is a personal trainer and a motivational speaker.
The afternoon lineup will include CAM practitioners, i've got massage therapists, yoga instructors,(modified), accupuncture, chiropractic and a reflexologist. I'm also waiting to hear from a guy who runs a brain aerobic gym. hopefully he'll put us through our paces so we can see what neurrobics is about.
We're opening the day with free health screenings for bone density, (since we all get whompped by steroids now and then, and most of us are not as active as we used to be) we're doing Blood pressure, O2 and Heart rate, as well as blood sugar which is also affected by steroids and other meds.
Continental breakfast and lunch. ALL FREE.
I have some vendors lined up. folks who specialize in 'adaptive travel', van conversions, ramp builders, as well as lots of discount coupons for places like the vitamin shoppe, yoga instructors and the like, as well as a company in the area that's bonded and insured and does non-medical home care, driving to docs appts etc.

can you guys think of anything else that fits?
Anyone in Chicago area wanna come???

lyndacarol · Post by **lyndacarol** » Sun Nov 08, 2009 8:52 am

CONGRATULATIONS!It is quite an accomplishment and sounds like it will be a great conference!

Are you accepting questions for your "experts" in advance of the conference?

A year ago I read an article in Better Homes and Gardens, written by David Feder, RD. He wrote "Numerous studies in Asia have demonstrated that compounds in turmeric can lead to a decrease in blood glucose, while increasing levels of blood insulin."

As the insulin-believer here, I am trying to get more information on these "studies in Asia." I wish to avoid anything that is "increasing levels of blood insulin." So far, I have found and am trying to contact a "David Feder, RD" who is director of Chicago-based S/F/B Communications Group , an international cooperative of food, nutrition science and health communications experts.

I am still unsure if this is the right person, but I hope to find out in the next couple weeks.

In the meantime, would you ask your conference nutritionist if he has information on these Asian studies on turmeric's compounds?

msmything · Post by **msmything** » Sun Nov 08, 2009 9:09 am

I certainly will ask her if she has access to these studies. I haven't actually provided the speakers with much in the way of guidance, I am so happy to have the roster filled out with some 'new' stuff for us to hear about.
I have sat through my last chicken dineer with some neurologist or another tripping through his prepared talk!!!!
There is another way.
The most unusual aspect of this is that I came within a hairs breadth of being fired from this hospital for going outside of my realm of responsibility. Unfortunately that experience caused me to slink around a little longer that I should have in firming up the final arrangements...live and learn...I've still got my health insurance

scoobyjude · Post by **scoobyjude** » Tue Nov 10, 2009 4:38 pm

Where is Chicago is it going to be?

msmything · Post by **msmything** » Tue Nov 10, 2009 6:31 pm

Hi Scooby,
It's going to be in Barrington, at Advocate Good Shepherd Hospital. It's pretty close to the northwest suburban train line station in barrington or Fox River Grove.
The afternoon is turning out to be alot of fun. It's all going to be interactive, massage therapy, tai-chi, adaptive yoga, reflexolgy and accupuncture.

I'm psyched, There's continental breakfast, and lunch included too! i'm hoping to get some cool door proze like a nintendo WII but, that's not a priority right now, making sure everyone is going to show is #1

If you know anyone, please tell them to come, and i hope to meet you too! Wear a pink carnation!

There will be invites going out soon from the MSF. I'm also contacting the areaMS Society support groups to get the word out.
We can only do about 30 bone density tests so it'll be 1st reply 1st served.
I'd like to do cholesterol testing as well, but it's too expensive. i may be able to give out coupons though for screening on someone else's dime.

Please come Scooby, it's different info than the usual "this is your brain, this is your brain with MS"

Please ask if you have anymore questions..

Colleen

ewizabeth · Post by **ewizabeth** » Tue Nov 10, 2009 6:35 pm

When will it be? I might be able to come depending on several things out of my control right now.

It sounds like fun though! And we have a GPS that could get me there and back. I don't know if I could talk anyone into spending the day doing this though, to go along with me.

msmything · Post by **msmything** » Tue Nov 10, 2009 7:12 pm

Hi Ewizabeth,
It is just off of Route 14, Northwest highway, in barrington, Il
Good Shepherd Hospital, 450 w highway 22, 60010

The alternative therapies will be in the afternoon, at about 12:30 or so.

The screenings are 1st thing. So, if you don't want the screenings, the speakers don't start 'til 10a

Jeff Segal, the motivational speaker/guy with MS/personal trainer is 1st up. Then the Attorney and nutritionist in the morning.

The CAM stuff is after lunch to serve as a wake up.
I hope you come, wear a pink carnation too!!

ewizabeth · Post by **ewizabeth** » Wed Nov 11, 2009 8:03 pm

I'll be going for a job interview soon for a job that starts training on Dec. 3rd. If I don't get that job, or another one, I'll be there as long as there isn't a blizzard, lol.

You know how N. Illinois can be, autumn one day, dead winter the next.

msmything · Post by **msmything** » Thu Nov 12, 2009 4:08 am

Yeah, I sure hope you get the job, but I'd love to meet you, we have pretty much the same drug history, but i haven't started the tysabri yet...I'm trying to be placed into the study at Northwestern that randomizes stem cell or tysabri.

So, as of yesterday, i've got nutritionist, a lawyer that specializes in asset protection in chronic disease, a motivational speaker that has MS and is personal trainer.
The afternoon is accupuncture, massage, tai chi, and yoga..all interactive...
Free screenings include bone density, blood sugar, blood pressure..
Continental breakfast and lunch...
It's a bargain !!! FREE FREE,
Please come to my party Ewizabeth......
Take care
Colleen