SForsgren
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 7686
posted
Who is going to the conference? It should be a GREAT event with lots of good information. I plan to be there and I urge you guys to attend as well. It would be great to meet more of our fellow Lyme-netters at the conference.
Tincup
Honored Contributor (10K+ posts)
Member # 5829
posted
I do believe Mr. Scott...
I still owe you a bowl of french onion soup! How lovely that was last time. I still remember.
I called the hotel about 4 AM this morning.. and found out that the block of rooms that goes with the conference was already used up and if you want to reserve a room now you have to pay the higher price. Supposedly we had till June 8th to get the best price?
They told me they only had 56 rooms reserved for it... so I don't know what is going on???
Anyhow... if anyone knows anything.. can you share? I had someone ask me about it who wanted to possibly go there from another state... so I was trying to see about getting them a room.
I personally won't be going. I figured it out and I'd have to stay an extra night if I went because it isn't over till 6 PM Sunday and I can't drive home in the dark.. and the lower cost room jumps in price on Sunday night to over $200.00.. up from the conference rate that was suppose to be $85.00 a night.
It would cost me about $800.00- $900.00 to attend IF I had the discounted room for at least the 2 nights... plus gas to/from.
I had thought maybe I could go and set up a table to give away stuff.. but that costs another $150.00 and you have to pay the conference fees too... and I just don't have it to spare.
Last year I was in NC for about a week at Dr. J's hearings... and took 4-5 three day train trips to support Dr. Jones in CT. Also went to NY to the protest and to CT for the rally.
Also was at the LDA conference and ILADS conference too... and traveled back and forth to LD meetings and other places. I am pretty well tuckered out... and VERY broke.
But I hope you will enjoy it! Eat a meal out on the patio and enjoy!
lymednva
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 9098
posted
I'd love to go, as it's almost in my backyard, but it's too expensive for my disability budget. It looks like it will be great. Perhaps I should just hang out in the hotel lobby to meet people.
-------------------- Lymednva Posts: 2407 | From over the river and through the woods | Registered: Apr 2006
| IP: Logged |
posted
I agree with Scott, this conferece is well worth attending and I too urge all that can attend to attend.
The hotel has made a mistake as far as the rooms being sold. The problem is being corrected today. So you should still be able to get the rooms for 85.00.
I do hope more will try to attend. It's a great place to meet others.
Hugs Linda
Posts: 107 | From Michigan | Registered: Nov 2004
| IP: Logged |
robi
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 5547
posted
I am going. Looking for a roommate for Sat and Sun nights. My email is sciencerat1 at yahoo
Triple A rate for conference nights is $80.75.
Just a few bucks but every bit helps.
-------------------- Now, since I put reality on the back burner, my days are jam-packed and fun-filled. ..........lily tomlin as 'trudy' Posts: 2503 | From here | Registered: Apr 2004
| IP: Logged |
SForsgren
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 7686
posted
Yes, the hotel issue has been fixed. The conference price is VERY low compared to many other conferences out there. The organizer does a fantastic job with this and understands what we deal with as she has dealt with Lyme herself.
I think you will find it to be a great event and urge you to attend if there is any way that you can make it.
Thanks for going and letting us know the highlights. The stuff you write is valuable to me.
Susan
Posts: 233 | From United States | Registered: Oct 2006
| IP: Logged |
Marnie
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
Member # 773
posted
Sorry Scott, but I think the $300 fee per person conference admission cost is really exhorbitant.
Especially for those lyme patients who have lost jobs, spent every last nickle on doctors who wouldn't take insurance, on supplements, on all sorts of treatments.
Add on top of this the cost of transportation, a room, meals...
And... they are NOT offering a DVD (!) of this conference so those who are VERY disabled by this disease and those who cannot afford to attend can benefit from the knowledge exchanged.
Help financially rich infected persons only?
Shameful.
Posts: 9481 | From Sunshine State | Registered: Mar 2001
| IP: Logged |
SForsgren
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 7686
posted
I DISAGREE ENTIRELY. The lady that puts this event on is likely to LOSE money on the event. It is not a get rich quick scheme for her. 300 bucks is peanuts compared to what some doctors charge for events. I just spent 495 for a conference and have spent up to 650. The reason there are no DVDs is that it COST too much to make them and she lost money in a big way and could not afford to do that again. Char, the organizer, is pure in heart.
-------------------- Be well, Scott Posts: 4617 | From San Jose, CA | Registered: Jul 2005
| IP: Logged |
Marnie
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
Member # 773
posted
Scott,
For those who are very ill, severely crippled by lyme, who have lost their job, who have families to support...$300 + is a lot of money.
Most here cannot afford the kinds of treatments, the multiple treatments, suggested.
Removal of all our "silver" fillings, detox treatments, the list goes on and on...
MANY people cannot AFFORD this!
Scott, you are very lucky if you can.
My goal...find a cure that is within reasonable cost for the masses infected. One that is safe. One that ideally is available OTC..."over the counter".
Anyone, with PERMISSION, can videotape the conference and make a VHS tape master and copy it. Persons could request their own copy ahead of time and the cost of duplicating the master would be covered (including shipping and handling).
Example:
VHS to VHS Duplication
Minimum charge of $24.95 for a single VHS Duplicate. Master tape can be up to 3 hours in length.
Additional duplicates:
Program length: 30 seconds to 60 minutes
Quantity 1-9 * $12.00 per duplicate
Quantity 10-25 * $9.00 per duplicate
Program length: 61 minutes to 180 minutes (3 hours)
Quantity 1-9 * $15.00 per duplicate
Quantity 10-25 * $12.00 per duplicate
If someone taped 9 hours of the conference, if 10-25 people requested copies...they would be charged $36 for the (3) 3 hour VHS tapes + shipping and handling.
Posts: 9481 | From Sunshine State | Registered: Mar 2001
| IP: Logged |
SForsgren
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 7686
posted
Marnie,
If you can do that, please contact the conference organizer and arrange with her to have you hire the camerman, the cameras, the manpower, etc., do the duplication and sell them to people at the cost you outline. I am sure that she and others would welcome it.
If someone cannot afford food for example, I find that unfortunate, but I do not go to complain to Safeway when they put groceries on sale and then suggest to them that they should give the food away for free. It would be nice but it isn't reality.
-------------------- Be well, Scott Posts: 4617 | From San Jose, CA | Registered: Jul 2005
| IP: Logged |
Vanilla
Unregistered
posted
I would love to attend but my keets have a big fear of flying and refuse to go anywhere.
GiGi
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
Member # 259
posted
Having attended conferences for many years, years ago I invested in a $29. tape recorder from RadioShack. I broke it recently and it still costs $29.00. Make sure you have a good supply of tapes with you and make sure the battery does not run out while at the conference.
I have tried to seat myself as close to a loudspeaker as possible. Have even sat on the floor so I could have my recorder right next to the loud-speaker. My recordings are as clear as day on that little recorder - it is for standard size tapes.
If one of the group can find a spot next to loudspeaker, she can do the chore of turning the tape after 45 minutes (I usually get 90 minute tapes). You can copy these tapes for others if they want to share in the cost.
I have tapes going back years of seminars - that's how I have learned a lot of the material. There is no way in the world you can retain three days of Klinghardt talk or invited speakers of similar brain capacity.
So get your heads together and become inventive. We are not swimming in money either. I put my brain to use of what's left after Lyme. Quit complaining about having or not having. Lyme and the associated problems are too much for any family unless you have a decent income and need only to care for yourself. We have lived this thing with Medicare and everyone ought to know what they reimburse. Zero, and the cheapest wheelchair made.
And remember when you are able to go out again and earn a living, the world owes you none: Start saving for the possible needs down the road and quit spending thoughtlessly. I learned that the first year of my life - my parents taught me.
You can listen to these recordings over and over. In a way I prefer them to videos which aren't the most professional recordings most the time anyway. The best are usually not affordable.
Just make sure that someone gets a seat next to a loudspeaker ------ Scott knows about that one - he has to watch my recorder when I have to go ........ and he is really good at it!!!!
Take care.
Posts: 9834 | From Washington State | Registered: Oct 2000
| IP: Logged |
robi
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 5547
posted
Yes, it would be nice if this were free. It is the one thing I have allowed myself this year. I have stashed money away bit by bit. I know this is not possible for everyone.
I will say, the organizer is very generous. This conference is just another venue to get accurate info on Lyme out there in the world. We need all of that we can get.
She does an incredible job. I know that she could put on another conference with the same or less energy she puts into this and turn a big profit. She is good at what she does. This conference will be lucky to break even.
The fact that she is willing to risk barely breaking even is really a gift. She is dedicated to this cause.
There are free meetings available where some of the same docs speak. This is just a condensed and convenient way to present a great deal of info in a short time. Many need this format as they cannot travel to many small meetings over varying distances.
Just to see all these presenters in one place probably save a lot of gas $$ if you had to travel.
I just hate to see her put down for doing a huge service.
Yes, I wish it could be free. Still, it is an organized event that draws attention. We need all the attention we can get. Docs that want to learn are unlikely to go to support group meeting and presentations. They would be more likely to attend this type of conference.
Andy from Open Eye (Under Our Skin) has taped MANY interviews here. That in and of itself is a great service to the community.
Please attend if you can, robi
-------------------- Now, since I put reality on the back burner, my days are jam-packed and fun-filled. ..........lily tomlin as 'trudy' Posts: 2503 | From here | Registered: Apr 2004
| IP: Logged |
lymednva
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 9098
posted
If I find a money tree suddenly growing in my yard, or some other sudden windfall, I'll certainly attend.
I don't need to pay for the hotel, it's only 15 minutes from my house.
-------------------- Lymednva Posts: 2407 | From over the river and through the woods | Registered: Apr 2006
| IP: Logged |
bettyg
Unregistered
posted
i'm like everyone else; too much money when there are sponsors there/exhibitors, etc.
i do like the idea from the woman who tapes her OWN conference with her cheap recorder! YOU ROCK; thanks for sharing your affordable creative idea!
that would be a good fund-raising project making copies of her cassettes!
when i first joined here, i was given some fibro/cfs tapes to listen to....donated to our support group; 15 tapes. i listened to them while online and i could listen and get other work done.
IP: Logged |
kelmo
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 8797
posted
I know it seems far fetched, but it would be nice if they had one on the west coast, or the midwest where hotels are cheaper.
Right now, even attending an affordable conference takes treatment money away from my daughter.
For those who are able to go, I am grateful if you can share the information with us.
The Lyme Disease Network is a non-profit organization funded by individual donations. If you would like to support the Network and the LymeNet system of Web services, please send your donations to:
The
Lyme Disease Network of New Jersey 907 Pebble Creek Court,
Pennington,
NJ08534USA http://www.lymenet.org/
UBBFriend: Email this page to someone!
![[Big Grin]](biggrin.gif)
![[Smile]](smile.gif)
![[group hug]](graemlins/grouphug.gif)
![[kiss]](graemlins/kissing.gif)
Printer-friendly view of this topic