As one of organizers of the PANDAS Parents Meeting, I wanted to take a moment to thank everyone who attended our event two weeks ago. Since my first introduction to PANDAS in 2008 when my own child became ill, I have devoted a good amount of time to online forums, research, and advocacy. Yet, the PANDAS Parents Meeting was the first time I actually ever met another PANDAS parent face to face! It truly shows the strength we have as a community and our determination to let nothing get in the way of getting our children better and helping others.
By meeting parents at the meeting, it put faces to those I have known over the internet for years. It made me feel even more a part of a community.
Some have asked if we plan on doing this again. Organizers have briefly discussed it, but nothing is solidified yet. After months of planning the 2011 meeting, we are still closing the book on this one and may take a break before thinking of another. We will definitely keep everyone updated.
We have seen an increase in people wanting to do get togethers on smaller levels and asking for advice. This is wonderful! If you have any questions, please feel free to ask. Our
email will stay open and still get checked. We hope to put together an easy to follow "how to" handout with what had to go into planning and the reality of funding, organizing, what we may do different, etc.
This has been a great learning experience and a great leap into an even more organized PANDAS movement.
Thank you!
Vickie
