“Its life-changing! You get to meet so many amazing families and make long-lasting friendships! You will find your tribe and it’s the best feeling ever!” These are just a few things I had heard about conference after joining the Chromosome 18 family. As a first-time attendee and staff member, I knew it would a lot of fun and a lot of work, but beyond that I didn’t really know what to expect. I can say after attending Conference last week, it was so much more than I had ever expected!
Three words that jumped into my head to explain Conference are belonging, joy, and acceptance. Belonging – Parents find their tribe of other parents who’ve been through what they’re going through; Self-Advocates find a community where they belong, where they see people like themselves and celebrate differences; Siblings have a group who understands their unique perspective and experiences.
Joy – Just look on the dance floor during the Starfish Dinner and Dance! Moms, dads, aunts, brothers, sisters, friends….everyone was on the dance floor having the time of their lives! Families found joy in seeing old friends after so long apart and making new life-long friends! Parents found joy in watching their children feel a sense of instant community. You could feel joy walking down the hallway listening to everyone interact.
Acceptance – “This is a judgement free zone” was our motto in the Self-Advocate Club 18 room. It was a safe place for people to share without the fear of being judged. Everyone is their own unique person, and we accept and love you for it! Our Self-Advocates took care of each other, helped each other when they need it, and accepted each other no matter what.
Thank you to everyone who helped make the 27th Annual Decoded Family Conference a huge success! We couldn’t have done it without the help of our amazing volunteers, Board, staff, and families! Please enjoy some favorite moments from our Conference attendees.
Lauren Martin, Self-Advocate: “My favorite memory was seeing old friends and new friends the first day of the conference and dancing with friends to the Mariachi band at night.”
Sydney Alper, Self-Advocate: “My favorite memory and moment was doing the Self-Advocate panel and doing the speech about my high school experience. My favorite person was meeting my sister, Lauren!”
Sally Mendoza Casas, C18 Parent and 1st Time Attendee: “My 2nd family, I finally felt at home….I finally felt like we belonged…I finally felt understood. Thank you all for answering my million and 1 questions. Our kids are definitely superheroes who keep proving everybody wrong! The parents are mama bears and lions who will stop at nothing to get what their child needs, no matter how young or old their child may be, they still continue to fight. And the siblings… the siblings are soldiers…joining and supporting the fight. However they may be wounded along the way and we as parents need to heal them as well…very great lesson learned on my part. #ShineBrightLikeJulez
Jessica Jumper, Self-Advocate: “My favorite was making memories with old friends and new friends. I would like to thank you all for treating my boyfriend like he is one of us.”
Bailey Carmack, C18 parent and 1st Time Attendee: “My favorite session was from Positive Exposure and learning how important it is to “change how you see” in life. My favorite memories come from all of the moments of connection we made with other families that are just like ours.”
Talia Grossman, Self-Advocate: “My favorite memory of the chromosome 18 conference is meeting Lauren Perry.”
Rebecca Parker, Self-Advocate: “My favorite memory was meeting new friends and seeing all my new friends.”
Alexis Garneau, Volunteer – “It gives me so much joy to see ever bodies happy smiling face and knowing I am making a difference.”
Devon Lacey, Self-Advocate: “My favorite part was being a Self-Advocate and helping new parents. I also like John saying the kind agreed with him on and I forgot to say that oh when he says disability is able that was the biggest thing for me.”
John Curtin, Self-Advocate: “The quote I would use is everybody has a disability, no matter what. What does the word disability have, the word ability. Us young adults can do anything and everything in this world. I love you guys.”
From Camilla Downs, C18 Mom and 18p- Coordinator “Two favorite moments. Thomas on the sibling panel (which I totally forgot to take a photo of), and this trio.”
Thank you all for making the 27th Annual Decoded Family Conference such a memorable, amazing experience!! We can’t wait to see you in Columbus, Ohio 2023!