[BobbyB]

First Annual Keri B. Still Conference - a Success!
November 21st, 2008 Filed under: ALS, Keri, Special Events by admin



Here are just a few of our attendees, with Miss NC. (more pictures coming)

By Derek Levandowski, The ALS Association Jim "Catfish" Hunter Chapter

Keri B. Still was a bright young woman who accomplished many things during her young life. She was no stranger to adversity but never met a challenge that was larger than her will to overcome it. When Keri became sick, she had a difficult time finding a physician who understood what was happening to her. Once diagnosed with ALS, she soon discovered that there were few professionals who understood how to properly care for her. Keri was pregnant and dealing with a deteriorating body. She made the decision not to take any medications that might be harmful to her baby. After her daughter was born, Keri was worried that others would experience the frustration that she dealt with.

Sadly, Keri lost her fight with ALS in January, 2008, leaving behind a loving family and a beautiful 10-month old daughter, Kellyn. Knowing what needed to be done, Joanie Brown (Keri's mother) and Jennifer Lassiter (Keri's college friend) decided to honor Keri's wishes by becoming part of the solution. They approached the ALS Association's Jim "Catfish" Hunter Chapter and the ALS Center at Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center (WFUBMC) with their vision. After much hard work, preparation and many successful fundraisers held by Keri's family and friends, the vision became a reality. Over 100 professional and non-professional caregivers to PALS (People with ALS) attended the first annual Keri B. Still Conference on ALS. Some people traveled more than three hours to attend the event, which was held on Friday, November 14th at the Hawthorne Inn & Conference Center in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. Participants left with a better understanding of the disease, the current state of ALS research and the knowledge of how to properly care for a person who has ALS.

Theresa Johnston-Crews, WFUBMC ALS Clinic Coordinator did an outstanding job organizing the conference. Amanda Watson, Miss North Carolina 2008, told the group why ALS is her platform and how the disease has affected her family. The most touching moment of the conference was to follow, as a slideshow, documenting Keri's life, was presented for the audience. When the tribute was complete, nearly everyone in attendance had been moved to tears and everyone knew why the day was so important.
Following the commemoration, James Caress, MD, WFUBMC ALS Center Director spoke about ALS, giving an overview of the disease, followed by specifics about what is being done to fight it. Dr. Caress spoke of new exploratory treatments that are being researched, using stem cells, as well as research into possible causes. His thorough interactive discussion, included slides and diagrams for the audience, as well as a question-answer session. Other guest speakers included Karen Cross, MD, from Hospice; WFUBMC ALS Center experts Michael Cartwright, MD; Jeffery Feldman, PhD., and Connie Paladenech, RRT, RCP. Louise Frumkin, MSW, Charlotte-based Care Services Coordinator for the Chapter gave a brief overview of resources available through the Jim "Catfish" Hunter Chapter as well as other organizations such as the VA and MDA.

During the second half of the conference, various caregiving experts from the WFUBMC ALS Center held breakout "sessions" in which they demonstrated techniques for dealing with problems that may arise for PALS and their caregivers. The presentations covered everything from available respiratory devices to the latest wheelchairs and high-tech devices. These sessions provided practical hands-on information that people so desperately need. With the success of this event, planning has already begun for the 2009 conference!



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