Annual Conference is a must!

Liz Shipley needs no introduction to members of Tyne & Wear Branch as someone who is determined not to let MND stop her living life to the full.

This item, accompanied by the photo of Liz with Association President Lembit Opik, appeared in the Spring 2007 edition of the Association's magazine 'Thumb Print'. It is reprinted here with permission.

When you’re living with MND, the idea of attending the Association’s National Conference can seem daunting. All that organisation! Will it all be worth it? Here, Liz Shipley talks about the first time she travelled down to the event.

I attended my first Annual Conference and AGM in 2001. I had no idea what to expect and travelled down to Birmingham on the Friday for the Conference on the Saturday. There was a Friday evening supper provided and my carer and I went along.

I remember the room being busy and we found a seat and settled in. Within a few minutes, Gayle Sweet (the Association’s former Press & PR Manager) introduced herself and I felt at home. As the evening wore on, I met a lot of National Office staff and it was lovely to put faces to names. A few drinks later, I had met so many people and it felt good to be part of what to me has become an extended family. I’m sure this closeness is unique to the Association’s staff.

I found the actual events very informative indeed. Being able to dip in and out of sessions was invaluable. It made the weekend flexible to my needs. Saturday evening was a dinner and ABBA tribute band. I made even more friends, had a ball and admittedly a hangover the next day. But hey, what fun!

For a few years the AGM and conference ran as a one-day event in Kettering. These too were very informative and I enjoyed the chance to catch up with old friends and meet new ones. Although there were lots of breaks, there wasn’t as much time to socialise as the two-day format.

   "...it felt good to be part of what to me has become an extended family."

Last year we went back to two days. I travelled down with my friend as carer. She’d never been before. I just told her she would enjoy it and left it at that. We had a great time - two days is much more relaxing and social. I made more new friends and we promised to meet up again at the next one.

Driving home my friend said: "No wonder you enjoy these get-togethers, I feel like I’ve found a new family." For me, that sums up the dedication of the Association. I would urge everyone to attend as you gain so much. You get a chance to have a voice and find out what is happening in the world of MND research. You also gain a huge sense of belonging.

Come and share ideas for ensuring life goes on by attending this year’s Annual Conference in Birmingham on 15 and 16 September.

If you book NOW there is an Early Bird discount of £5 on the delegate fee.

More details can be found by visiting www.mndassociation.org/news_and_events/events/index.html