Disability, Health and Wellness Conference in September

MFL a proud sponsor of this important event.

September 24 and 25 will be two very important days for people who live with a disability or chronic condition. Those are the dates for the Disability, Health and Wellness Conference, Options for Healthy Living.

"People living with disabilities and chronic conditions will come together for a first ever conference designed for education and empowerment at the personal and systemic levels," said David Steen, Executive Director of the Society of Manitobans with Disabilities.

The conference is designed to let people who want to improve their own health hear from experts in the fields of healthy living, healthy work, and health services. They'll learn what supports and information is currently available for those who live with a disability or chronic condition.

Darlene Dziewit, Manitoba Federation of Labour President says the MFL is a proud and eager sponsor of this event. She says it is valuable when Labour has partnerships with like minded organizations on such an essential issue.

"Finally, workers with work related disabilities will be able to attend a conference that is geared to their own personal needs," said Dziewit. "We are always willing to work together to advance the well being of workers and their families."

The conference will be based in Winnipeg at a fully accessible venue, the Victoria Inn at 1808 Wellington Ave. The conference will also be available in remote communities throughout Manitoba thanks to a grant from the Independent Living Resource Center. Their Webcasting Network will carry the live conferences.

The central conference planning committee has designed the format to cover all aspects of healthy living. It gives opportunities for participants to attend specific topics in breakout format. These topics have been chosen as those most appropriate to provide the kind of information that people will need. There will also be some lighter moments provided by entertainers, including a demonstration on wheelchair line dancing.

Natalie Mulaire, Chief Operating Officer of the Society of Manitobans with Disabilities Self-Help Clearing house has been the chair of the planning committee as well as the sub-chair of the sponsorship committee. Through her efforts the corporate sponsors and exhibitors have made it possible to keep the cost of the conference at a very affordable rate for the target group - those with disabilities and chronic conditions.

"The knowledge gained at this conference," said David Steen, "will allow persons with disabilities to be better able to make decisions about their health, especially in managing secondary health issues."

More information on this conference is contained in the conference brochure and registration kit which you can download in PDF format. Or, you can visit the Society of Manitobans with Disabilities Web site.