AUBURN - One of the biggest crowds for the Options for Independence annual conference, 150 people, attended the event to open up a world of possibilities for people with disabilities.
The 11th annual conference, titled “A World of Possibilities,” included a dozen workshops, from a cooking demonstration to fair housing and stress management.
Options for Independence programming director Tracy Murphy said the workshops were for the organization's consumers, as well as service providers and the general public. Everyone had something they could get out of the sessions, she said.
“This is an opportunity for the community to get together, to promote our mission, to promote advocacy,” Murphy said.
The day-long event's highlight was keynote speaker Craig MacFarlane, who stressed the importance of PRIDE: Perseverance, respect, individuality, desire and enthusiasm.
He called being blinded at the age of 2 a minor inconvenience.
“We are faced with minor inconveniences,” he reminded the crowd.
The wrestling champion and avid water skier stood in front of a group of people Tuesday and told them the importance of advocacy groups, such as Options, on his life, and the lives of others.
Options Board of Directors Vice President Nancy Wise said this was the conference's largest crowd since 1996, partially because they partnered with Edward Jones Investments of Auburn. Last year, 50 less people attended.
This Edward Jones connection is what brought MacFarlane to the conference, which was no cost. MacFarlane has traveled the country, Canada, and the United Kingdom for 16 years as a goodwill ambassador for the investment company.
The other speakers gave up their own time to guide the workshops, too, Murphy said.
Bruce Darling came from Rochester to inform people about a trend of long-term care at home, rather than in nursing care facilities.
Darling serves as the executive director of the Regional Center for Independent Living.
He addressed changes in long-term care during an elderly care mid-morning session. This includes a state-initiated Medicaid waiver that allows certain nursing care patients the ability to go and “live in freedom,” Darling said.
“We're working in a direction where people have real choices,” he said.
Shelley Augustine attended the workshop to learn how to improve the transition from a long-term care institution to getting people home.
The case worker for Cayuga County Adult Services sees this move on occasion, and predicts an increase as the population ages.
Augustine wants to make sure people have access to sufficient community resources.
Non-profit agencies and community organizations lined the Holiday Inn dinning hall with information and visual presentations, such as the NAACP and Elder Care.
Options for Independence assists people to make their own decisions, become part of the community and gain opportunities with such agencies helping with that mission.
“When a child or person suffers, I think we all suffer,” MacFarlane said.
Staff writer Jessica Soule can be reached at 253-5311, ext 267 or jessica.soule@lee.net
Options for Independence programming director Tracy Murphy said the workshops were for the organization's consumers, as well as service providers and the general public. Everyone had something they could get out of the sessions, she said.
“This is an opportunity for the community to get together, to promote our mission, to promote advocacy,” Murphy said.
The day-long event's highlight was keynote speaker Craig MacFarlane, who stressed the importance of PRIDE: Perseverance, respect, individuality, desire and enthusiasm.
He called being blinded at the age of 2 a minor inconvenience.
“We are faced with minor inconveniences,” he reminded the crowd.
The wrestling champion and avid water skier stood in front of a group of people Tuesday and told them the importance of advocacy groups, such as Options, on his life, and the lives of others.
Options Board of Directors Vice President Nancy Wise said this was the conference's largest crowd since 1996, partially because they partnered with Edward Jones Investments of Auburn. Last year, 50 less people attended.
This Edward Jones connection is what brought MacFarlane to the conference, which was no cost. MacFarlane has traveled the country, Canada, and the United Kingdom for 16 years as a goodwill ambassador for the investment company.
The other speakers gave up their own time to guide the workshops, too, Murphy said.
Bruce Darling came from Rochester to inform people about a trend of long-term care at home, rather than in nursing care facilities.
Darling serves as the executive director of the Regional Center for Independent Living.
He addressed changes in long-term care during an elderly care mid-morning session. This includes a state-initiated Medicaid waiver that allows certain nursing care patients the ability to go and “live in freedom,” Darling said.
“We're working in a direction where people have real choices,” he said.
Shelley Augustine attended the workshop to learn how to improve the transition from a long-term care institution to getting people home.
The case worker for Cayuga County Adult Services sees this move on occasion, and predicts an increase as the population ages.
Augustine wants to make sure people have access to sufficient community resources.
Non-profit agencies and community organizations lined the Holiday Inn dinning hall with information and visual presentations, such as the NAACP and Elder Care.
Options for Independence assists people to make their own decisions, become part of the community and gain opportunities with such agencies helping with that mission.
“When a child or person suffers, I think we all suffer,” MacFarlane said.
Staff writer Jessica Soule can be reached at 253-5311, ext 267 or jessica.soule@lee.net
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