The 28th Annual Spina Bifida Association of America’s 28th annual “Parade of Possibilities” conference in association with the Spina Bifida Association of Greater New Orleans, took place from June 25-27, Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday, with the Business and Annual meetings taking place on June 23rd and 24th. Despite the hot, humid weather, New Orleans was a great place to hold this conference. The SBAA conference committee, The SBA of Greater New Orleans and the Hyatt Regency, New Orleans all did an outstanding job in handling this unique conference with its very special needs requirements, as did the hundreds of volunteers. The Family Mardi Gras Night on Tuesday was pulled off in true New Orleans fashion. There were many successes to celebrate at this event.

The SBAA conference is one of the most unique of its kind. The conference had more than 80 sessions in six concurrent tracks specifically designed for person with spina bifida, families and parents and professionals involved in caring for persons with spina bifida. Topics ranged from current medical information to family issues to advocacy and self care (to see a complete list of the sessions agenda, go to http://www.sbaa.org/docs/conf2001/Agenda_2001.pdf ).

A major component of the SBAA conference is the comprehensive “Kids!Camp” with programs for kids from newborn child care services, all the way up to a program for teens. The conference also has a program specifically for the siblings of kids with spina bifida. Wheelchair care and maintenance, college preparation, a treasure and scavenger hunt were all a part of the Kids!Camp. Although I did not see it, I’m told there was a full-grown horse in the kid’s area inside a conference room from the Greater New Orleans Therapeutic Riding Center.

Evelyne Villines was the keynote speaker for the Luncheon and Awards Program on Monday, the 25th. Ms. Villines serves as the vice-chair the Committee for Purchase from People who are Blind or Severely Disabled. She is a two time presidential appointee to this committee. The committee was created to ensure that people with disabilities are able to compete fairly in competitive employment.

Evelyne gave a very entertaining and often emotional talk as she described her experiences growing up as an older child with a disability. She described what it was like to grow up in her family environment as well as the short, awful period of time she spent in an institution. She talked about removing structural and attitude barriers in society and discussed transportation, civil rights, independent living and recreation issues as they pertain to people with disabilities.

The SBAA has an Educational Scholarship Program for its membership’s teens and adult population to create opportunities for people with spina bifida to achieve their full potential through higher education. The winner of a four-year $20,000 scholarship was Jennifer Maxton from Kansas. Eight other teens from around the country each received a one-year scholarship of $1,000.

In addition to the general membership, other professional groups and advisory committees are involved and present for the conference. They are: The Nursing and Healthcare Profesionals Council, The Spina Bifida Foundation, The SBAA Professional Advisory Council and the National Council on Folic Acid.

Next Year’s conference will be in Orlando, Florida the last week of June 2001. See You There!!

Keep informed on spina bifida and general SBAA issues @ www.sbaa.org