It’s not too early to make your hotel reservation!

The full conference will take place at the JW Marriott in downtown Indianapolis and the hotel is offering conference attendees a discounted room rate of $149 per night. To make your reservation, visit https://resweb.passkey.com/go/OIF2014 or call 866-704-6162 and mention that you are with the “Osteogenesis Imperfecta Foundation” National Conference.

 
We hope to see you there! Last summer, more than 800 members of the OI community gathered in Washington, DC for the 2012 OI Foundation National Conference.—let’s make 2014 even better! Join us for three days of informational sessions, free medical consultations, and social activities—including the first-ever National Unbreakable Spirit® Walk-n-Wheel for Better Bones.

Check back often for updates on registration and conference program!

Did you miss the 2012 OI Foundation National Conference?
Here you can find handouts from some of the conference sessions and audio of the opening session. For more questions about the OI Foundation's National Conference please email conference@oif.org. 

Listen to Gary Patti deliver his keynote address "Unbreakable Hope! How to survive and thrive when the odds seem overwhelming" at the 2012 OI Foundation National Conference!  

Born with osteogenesis imperfecta. Gary experienced over 90 broken bones from the time he was two weeks old. As a result, Gary faced challenges at every turn, from physical immobility to social isolation and prejudice. These barriers didn’t stop him. In fact, Gary’s disabilities helped him develop the ability to overcome setbacks and obstacles with a fierce determination to never give up, the courage to dream big, and the tenacity to go beyond his own imagination. Gary was a nationally ranked athlete, owns one of the longest running independent health clubs in the country, owns an athletic training clinic for youth, is an ordained minister, a motivational speaker, and is happily married to his wife Amparo. His question, “What’s stopping you?”

Handouts 

Aquatic Therapy:  From Infancy through Adulthood
Sheri Dawson, MPT, Nemours/Alfred I. duPont Hospital for Children, Wilmington
Karen Josefyk, MSR, PT, Nemours/Alfred I. duPont Hospital for Children, Wilmington
The aquatic environment is a safe place to explore and practice movement for people with osteogenesis imperfecta.  Whether a person is learning a new skill or regaining an old skill following an injury, the properties of water are utilized to strengthen muscles and improve endurance while protecting his or her bone health. The pool is a place to master a skill in a gravity-lessened environment prior to attempting those same skills on land. The pool can assist in alleviating the fear of movement while building self-confidence and is an ideal place for skilled rehabilitation. Most importantly the aquatic environment is a wonderful place for integrating people with OI into lifelong fun, fitness, and community activities. The participants in this session will; understand the basic properties of water and how they impact a person’s body while in the water, learn strategies to encourage early movement for infants with OI, understand appropriate fracture rehabilitation ideas for all ages and verbalize the importance the aquatic environment has on lifelong activity for people with OI.

Finding Your Dream
Jamie Kendall, Social Security Administration
Mia Ives-Rublee, MSW, Vocational Rehab Counselor
Tips for preparing for, applying for, and interviewing. Ms. Kendall is former President of the OIF Board of Directors.

Get Moving: Physical Activity for Children with OI
Maureen Donohoe, PT, DPT, PCS, Nemours/Alfred I. duPont Hospital for Children, Wilmington
One goal of treatment is to allow a child to do the physical things he or she wants and needs to do. This session will explore recreation, adaptive sports and other exercise strategies.  

Nutrition: Strategies, Picky Eaters, Etc. 
Sharon Werner, RD, CDE, CD-N, Connecticut Children’s Medical Center
Strategies for managing picky eaters, healthy weight and appetites will be discussed, along with menu planning and shopping tips.

Self-Advocacy in Medical Situations
Cathleen Raggio, MD, Hospital for Special Surgery, New York
Susan Wilson, OI advocate
Information all adults should know about managing your experience in various medical situations including; testing, anesthesia, medical records, and hospital stays.