9th Annual Myotonic Dystrophy Family Conference A Success
The MDF was proud to be a part of the 9th Annual Myotonic Dystrophy Family Conference in Manhattan Beach, CA, October 3-4, 2009. The coalition of sponsoring groups brought important research updates, information about diagnosis, treatment, and daily living issues to assist individuals living with myotonic dystrophy, families,healthcare providers and the community. The MDF sponsored the family workshops held on Saturday. These interactive breakout sessions focused on specific needs of families living with myotonic dystrophy. Families and healthcare professionals discussed best practices in three groups: congenital/childhood myotonic dystrophy, myotonic dystrophy type 2 and caregivers. It is our hope that everyone walked away from these workshops with new ideas, new friends, and better informed.
And this year, the MDF co-sponsored Positive Exposure to capture images of the families living with this genetic condition. Rick Guidotti, a former fashion photographer, founded Positive Exposure in 1997. It is a non-profit organization that challenges the stigma associated with difference by pioneering a new vision of the beauty and richness of genetic diversity. Positive Exposure sprang from the conviction that art and media could improve the quality of life of people living with genetic differences. We encourage you to take some time to view the amazing photos on their website, www.positiveexposure.org. The feedback from the conference attendees was amazing. "Rick made me feel beautiful and his energy is amazing", reported one conference attendee.
