Weekend Retreat Schedule

Friday, May 21, 2010

4:00 – 5:30 Arrival and Registration

5:30 – 6:30 Opening meeting with participants introducing themselves. We will ask each participant to bring a picture of their child/children and we will ask each to describe, briefly, their situation.

Opening Remarks on Schedule and Goals for Weekend (Andy Feinstein). The remarks will cover how parents are often less than the best advocates for their children due to the profound emotional load that having a child with a disability produces. The remarks will include the schedule for the weekend and the thinking behind the schedule. Will discuss accessing information, accessing emotional support, relaxation techniques and how parents need to protect themselves, not just their children.

Keynote Speech by Sandra Parrino, former Chair, National Council on Disabilities.

6:30 – 7:45 Cocktail Reception

7:45 – 8:45 Dinner

8:45 – 11:00 Bonfire, if weather permits, with optional drumming.

Saturday, May 22, 2010

7:30 – 8:30 Breakfast

8:30 – 9:15 Guided Meditation (Liz Bochain)

9:15 – 10:30 Overview of Life Cycle of Family with Special Needs Child and Services Available (Andy Feinstein), including Birth to Three, Special Education, adult services, special needs trusts, estate planning, social security disability, Medicaid.

10:30 – 10:45 Break

10:45 – 12:00 Presentation of Self to Get What Your Child Needs (Kathleen Casparino), including securing and managing providers, using experts, understanding expertise, dealing with schools and other agencies, organization, dressing the part, scripting presentations, and retaining game face.

12:00 – 1:00 Lunch

1:00 – 2:00 Yoga/Dance

2:00 – 2:30 Introduction to sessions on understanding How it Feels to Be a Parent of a Child with a Disability (Dr. Jonathan Swift).

2:30 – 4:30 Group discussion of How it Feels to Be Parent of a Child with a Disability, heavily facilitated by Dr. Smaller and Dr. Swift. To start discussion, Dr. Smaller, Ms. Casparino and Mr. Feinstein will tell stories of how the emotional load of being the parent of a child with a disability has interfered with effective advocacy. We will conduct this session in a very comfortable room and allow for lots of movement by participants.

4:30 – 6:30 Arts and Crafts (Liz Bochain)

6:30 – 7:30 Cocktail Reception

7:30 – 8:30 Dinner

8:30 – 11:00 Concert/Sing Along/Dancing: Songs from 60’s and 70’s

Sunday, May 23, 2010

7:30 – 8:30 Breakfast

8:30 – 9:15 Guided Meditation (Liz Bochain)

9:15 – 11:15 Continuation of How it Feels to Be Parent of a Child with a Disability, led by Dr. Smaller and Dr. Swift.

11:15 – 12:00 Summation of sessions and talk on Protecting Yourself while Fighting for Your Child (Dr. Adrienne Smaller). This is a presentation on techniques and approaches for parents to maintain their own mental and physical health while fighting for children with special needs.

12:00 – 1:30 Farewell Lunch

1:30 – 3:00 Time for participants to finish art projects. Leaders will stay to talk.