A wonderful day with Tristar CMT support group

[Guest guest]

Under beautiful sunny skies and mild California temps, the Tristar CMT support

group of the Santa Barbara area enjoyed lunch, socializing, and a

question/answer session with esteemed foot and ankle orthopedist Glenn Pfeffer,

MD of Cedars-Sinai hospital in Los Angeles. The indoor setting of natural stone

and wood at the River Grill provided a unique and intimate background, bordered

on the outside by tall leafy trees, a golf course and a shimmering lake.

Six new members from 4 counties joined the group. Conversation and discussion

was lively on a variety of topics ranging from age of diagnosis, to foot

surgery, to the development of a CMT Physical Therapy Program (including getting

PTs, Bracemakers and PT students together); the need for greater National CMT

Awareness NOW and developing an action plan; to the need to reach out and

educate teachers and schools about children with CMT; to the 2-3 day

Conference; and to the creation of " CMT West " .

Conference plans moved further along as Glenn Pfeffer, MD agreed to be the fifth

speaker to commit. An area resource list began and the first draft will be

available at the next meeting.

Just like a large `family' gathering, photos were taken, good times prevailed

and all agreed the food was delicious. The next meeting is scheduled for end of

September and will include an Aquatics exercise demonstration and (optional)

participation, as well as brunch/lunch and social time.