QUOTES

Following are some quotes and comments made by conference sponsors, speakers, and attendees.

"Bethesda Lutheran Homes and Services is honored to have sponsored the "It's a Wonderful Life" conference on aging with developmental disabilities. We value the partnerships we have developed with our fellow conference sponsors, and we were especially pleased to work with St. Coletta of Wisconsin to develop this conference in celebration of both our organizations' centennial anniversaries. As support providers, people with developmental disabilities and their families have demonstrated at this conference, we have a rich history and a bright future to celebrate together."

Bethesda Lutheran Homes and Services, Inc., President and CEO, David Geske, PhD

"RCS was proud to sponsor this event . RCS staff returned with a wealth of information and resources that we will be able to share with our participants, their families and funding agencies. Aging is something that is happening to all of us. This conference gave us the opportunity to look at the unique as well as universal needs of our DD population. Planning and education is critical to quality of life at this stage. As a sponsor, we were able to contribute so that not only human service agencies, but family members could attend to benefit from the resources offered. We hope that this will become an annual event and will be available to CRP's and other agencies working with the DD aging population so that we can stay on the cutting edge as a provider of services. An important factor that was promoted in this event was families and service providers working together."

Ron Van Rooyen, Rehabilitation Center of Sheboygan, Inc.

"Due to medical advances people with Developmental Disabilities are living longer lives. Additionally, there is a large emerging population of "baby boomers" with developmental disabilities who are experiencing aging issues much earlier than the general population. Over 60% of the persons that St. Coletta serves with Developmental Disabilities are over the age of 40 years old. There is a great deal that we need to learn to meet the needs of this growing population."

Tony Loduca, St. Coletta

Attendee Comments:

"It was a great conference – valuable for out of state people as well."

"Excellent combination of like – topics to be presented."

"Pertinent info – great presenters."

"Enjoyed it greatly!"

"The speakers were all great."

"Good speakers, good materials, good location."

"This was an excellent facility for a conference. The speakers were all energetic and full of info. Nothing could be improved upon! This was one of the best conferences I have ever attended. Thank you!!"

RFW offers a variety of training and educational opportunities to its members and the rehabilitation community including Professional Development Seminars (PDS), an annual Rehabilitation and Transition Conference, and other special conferences and training events.