Myotonic Dystrophy Family Conference

We are pleased to invite you to join us in Clearwater Beach, Florida at the beachside Sheraton Sand Key Resort, for a conference for families living with myotonic dystrophy, the most common form of adult onset muscular dystrophy. With the goal of creating the largest ever patient/research forum, we will hold our 2nd Annual EMPOWER 2011 Family Conference in conjunction with IDMC-8, the bi-annual conference of the International Myotonic Dystrophy Consortium (IDMC). IDMC is the largest group of researchers devoted to research into the causes and potential treatments for myotonic dystrophy. Learn more about the IDMC. The family conference will be held Friday-Sunday, December 2-4, 2011 at the Sheraton Sand Key Resort in Clearwater Beach, Florida.

Admission is FREE and includes access to the general and breakout sessions as well as meals and two evening receptions. Advance registration is required and space is limited so please register today!

This meeting provides the patient community with the unique opportunity to meet and hear firsthand the progress researchers world-wide are making towards viable treatments and a cure for myotonic dystrophy. It also presents the opportunity for families to connect with others in the myotonic dystrophy community and gain knowledge and strength from the life-experiences of other families and caregivers.

The weekend will begin with an informal welcome reception at the resort, followed by two full days of educational, interactive sessions, featuring expertise from the scientific sessions from IDMC-8, as well as Q&A panels and our most popular highlight: the breakout sessions, which will focus on specific topics affecting our community. Meals will be provided throughout the duration of the conference.

Complimentary Childcare

In an effort to encourage full-family participation, complimentary onsite childcare will be provided throughout the conference by the MDF. A staff of experienced providers, including a nurse, will keep children busy with activities while parents focus on the conference itself. Children will join their parents for all meals.

As an added bonus, we are once again pleased to announce Rick Guidotti with Positive Exposure who will be joining us to photograph attendees and give a talk about his work. Rick joined us at a conference last year and took beautiful pictures of all the attendees and put together a wonderful presentation showing the diversity of our community. Positive Exposure 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. The organization is now at the center of a large network of stakeholders within the genetics, education, and patient advocacy communities. Meeting Rick will be a highlight of your weekend.

Note, though Admission is FREE, advance registration is required as space is limited. Your registration includes access to the general and breakout sessions as well as meals and two evening receptions.

For information and registration please visit the Conference Website

Visit again soon to download an updated agenda for the conference.