The National MPS Society invites you to attend its third conference for adults with MPS and related diseases, “Finding Our SPIRIT.” After talking with you and reading your evaluations, we heard that what is most important to you is spending time with your friends. Plus, this is Disney and everyone wants to have fun! We’ve reduced your formal meeting time to three hours, and although we’ll have a moderator, this is YOUR meeting with topics you’ve selected to discuss.
We hope everyone can attend the family conference that precedes the SPIRIT conference, on Thursday and Friday. The morning after the prom, breakfast will be waiting for you as you greet old friends and meet new ones. After a morning of discussions, lunch will be served and you can choose which park to attend for the remainder of the afternoon and evening.
You will receive a complimentary one-day single theme park ticket.
A brief questionnaire will be sent to all conference registrants in advance to help conference facilitators (your peers) plan the day. What are your concerns—employment, friends, personal care, medical insurance, having fun? Because this is an interactive conference, the specific agenda will not be determined until we hear from you.
Funding is available for registrants and, if necessary, for a caregiver to travel with them and provide assistance with travel. The caregiver is welcome to join the group at breakfast and lunch on Saturday, and at the theme park that afternoon and evening. The session on Saturday is open only to meeting registrants (adults with MPS or related disease) to allow for privacy and confidentiality during the discussions.
Criteria for applying:- Individual with MPS or related disease
- Member in good standing of the National MPS Society or parent is member in good standing of the National MPS Society
- US resident
- Age 18 or older
Registration package includes:
- Travel to the conference (airfare or mileage reimbursement) for registrant and caregiver (if required), maximum $500 per person. Registrant is responsible for making all travel arrangements.
- One night at Disney’s Contemporary Resort or Wilderness Lodge (one standard guest room and tax). Guest is responsible for any incidental room charges such as phone calls, movies or room service. (Two complimentary nights are available if the applicant registers and attends the family conference.)
- Saturday breakfast and lunch
- Complimentary one-day, single-park Disney theme park ticket
Registrants are encouraged to register for the 28th Annual National MPS Society Family Conference which begins Thursday evening, Dec. 18. There is no registration fee for adults with MPS and related diseases to attend the family conference. While there is no registration fee for this conference, registrants must pay a $50 deposit upon registration to hold your space so we can adequately plan for complimentary meals and breaks, and order the Disney theme park tickets. This deposit will be refunded to those individuals who attend the conference. Registrants are responsible for making all travel arrangements including hotel reservation, airfare and ground transportation. Complimentary childcare will be provided during the educational sessions.
Due to limited funding, registrations will be accepted on a first-come, first-served basis. We encourage you to register early. Upon acceptance of your registration, you will be instructed to book your hotel room and arrange your transportation to the hotel. The cost of your hotel room and the tax will be paid by the Society. Travel reimbursement is provided at the conference, although the registrant can request partial reimbursement prior to the conference.
For more information, go to www.mpssociety.org. Call Laurie Turner at 207.843.7040 with questions or send an e-mail to laurie@mpssociety.org.
Information about accommodations and travel can be found at the Family Conference menu tab.
