On Saturday, June 5^th, 2010, I will be joining Dr. Ann Corson in a program sponsored by the LDA of Southeastern PA.  I will be speaking on the topic “Lyme Disease Patients and Families: Meeting Challenges and Overcoming Obstacles.”  The program will take place at Bucks County Community College, Newtown Campus, at 1:00pm.

For further information, check the website: www.lymepa.org

University of New Haven will be hosting a Lyme disease symposium on Saturday, May 8th, at Dodd’s Auditorium – University of New Haven. The morning session will be devoted to new and exciting research currently being undertaken, to explore the mysteries of Borrelia burgdorferi, the Lyme disease bacteria. Topics include: the antibiotics sensitivity of the different formations (spirochete, cyst and biofilm) of Borrelia burgdorferi, the ultrastructure and the molecular components of the recently discovered Borrelia biofilm formation, comparison of findings in syphilis and Lyme disease related studies, the role of mitochondria in chronic Lyme disease patients, novel co-infection findings in tick-borne diseases and a discussion on the potential role of XMRV virus in chronic diseases.

The afternoon session will focus on pediatric patients, with speakers addressing multiple issues affecting children, the complexity of medical treatment options, as well as factors that impact their functioning – cognitive and executive functioning impairments, social and emotional growth in the face of their often debilitating symptoms.

The keynote speaker for the symposium will be Dr. Charles Ray Jones and two very special guests will attend: Polly Murray and Dr. Alan MacDonald. Dr. MacDonald will receive a lifetime achievement award. Details and registration info are here.

A printable pdf version of Symposium’s brochure is available. Learn more about Lyme Disease Research at the University of New Haven here.

On Thursday, April 22nd, 2010, I will be participating in an educational forum from 7:00 – 9:00pm at Central Middle School in Greenwich, Connecticut titled, “Lyme Disease: Your Body, Your Brain…”. The forum is presented by Time for Lyme, Inc., The Greenwich Department of Health, and Families For Greenwich Hospital.

I will be speaking on the topic: “Beyond the Medical: The Challenges of Living with Lyme Disease.”

Other speakers that evening are Kenneth Liegner, M.D., P.C. on “Introduction to Lyme and other Tick-Borne Diseases (co-infections): Symptoms, Clinical Diagnosis vs. Serological Testing, & Treatment Protocols”, Robert Bransfield, MD, DLFAPA, President, International Lyme and Associated Diseases Society (ILADS) on “The Brain and Tick-Borne Diseases” and Judith G. Leventhal, Ph.D. “Sensory Sensitivities and Cognitive Difficulties in Lyme Disease: Impact on School Performance.”

More details here, or call Time for Lyme, Inc. at (203) 969-1333.

I am pleased to announce that I will be co-presenting at the national conference of the Council of Parent Attorneys and Advocates, Inc., a non-profit organization of attorneys, advocates and parents whose primary mission is to secure high quality educational services for children with disabilities. The conference will take place in St. Louis, MO, on March 11-14, 2010.

Judy Leventhal, PhD and Education Advocate Pat Exman will be joining me in a presentation titled, “Complex Multi-System Medical Illness: Educational Needs and Advocacy Strategies.” We will be using Lyme disease as the model, and will provide the advocates and attorneys with an in-depth understanding of the disease, the controversies, and the presenting symptoms and functional impairments of the children in order to give participants an appreciation of what children with tick-borne diseases face when they try to navigate the learning environment. Stress is placed on the need for a deep understanding of Lyme disease, in order to effectively advocate for the needs of students impacted by the illness.

I am grateful for an Education Grant from the Lyme Disease Association, Inc. in support of the presentation at this conference.

This is an exciting opportunity to have an impact on the lives of students with Lyme disease around the country through developing a network of advocates and attorneys who appreciate what this disease can do. Aside from our presentation, the inclusion of our material in the compendium will give important information to all attendees at the conference.

In addition, Time for Lyme and the Lyme Disease Association are co-sponsoring an exhibit table. We will therefore have literature available to supplement our presentation. The California Lyme Disease Association is donating a generous number of Children’s Education Issues of the Lyme Times to further the knowledge about Lyme disease of those participating in our breakout session, as well as other conference attendees.

We hope that professionals and advocates around the country will encourage education advocates and attorneys in their communities to attend this conference.