The Conference was terrific!

[Guest guest]

Hello to all,

I returned home last night after attending the West Coast Conference

in Palo Alto this past weekend. It was incredibly interesting and

fun, I met so many people, including manny of our members from

California (as well as other states and Canada), CMTA members and

spent time chatting with Newmar - all of which was a real joy.

In addition I had the opportunity to talk to Dr. Shy about NT-3, with

Fiona from the Miami Institute for Human Genetics, and the Wayne

State Genetic Counselors, Carly Siskind and a Feely. I also had

the pleasure of meeting Dana and Pat from the CMTA, whom I had heard

so much about through the years.

My favorite speaker was Dr. Billings who gave a State and

National genetics policy update, described more about GINA and spoke

about what's to come in the future. He was such a dynamic speaker

(and I was sitting up front just about under his nose), I was hooked

on every word and wanted to drag him off to lunch to hear more!

There were about 250 - 300 people there, I think, but I'll leave that

count up to to report on. The food, snacks, ambience and

overall setting only added to my positive conference experience.

and her crew of worker bees did an OUTSTANDING job and I

want to extend KUDOS to all involved in the planning, logistics and

capturing the entire day on the taping/video for the DVD.

My host family, The Albers warmly welcomed me, and were so gracious

in extending their home to me. I had the opportunity to tour Stanford

University and was impressed with it's historic sandstone

architecture and beautifully spacious grounds.

After speaking with Fiona at MIHG, I have committed to having my

blood samples sent in for the CMT type 2 research project.

When the DVD is available, I urge all of you to get a copy. The

information from this Conference is priceless.

OK OK, now I'll get to the 16 posts waiting for me....lol

Gretchen