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I will never forget what it felt like to attend my very first convention with the Short Statured People of Australia. It was back in the August/September school holidays in 1980 at a campsite near Ballarat. It was freezing cold, the accommodation was budget but as a thirteen year old I HAD THE BEST TIME OF MY LIFE!
How can I even describe the feeling of spending an entire week with people who could relate to what it felt like to be me? It was wonderful to make friends with people who were not only my own age but the SAME height as me. For one whole week I wasn't the different one in the crowd; I wasn't an oddity. No one stared, no one made comments. I talked with people face to face, eye to eye. I got to meet adult people of short stature who had successful careers, were driving and even PARENTS! I got a glimpse into my potential future and was assured that everything I hoped for and dreamed of could happen if I set my mind to it.
I made lifelong friends at that convention. I would even go as far as saying that being connected to the SSPA changed my life.
So when I heard that my friend Carly Findlay, with the support of the Genetic Support Network of Victoria was undertaking the mammoth task of organising the very first Australian Ichthyosis Meet I was incredibly excited for her. As a part of Ichthyosis Awareness Month, the Meet will take place on Saturday 9th May, 2015 in Melbourne. There will be an informal meet and greet, a trip to the zoo and a dinner to help cement friendships even further. Two dermatologists will be in attendance to answer the myriad of questions that are sure to crop up!
I am so excited for everyone. There is just something so wonderful about bonding through a shared experience of difference. It's where you start "getting your pride on". Lifelong friendships are formed, experiences are shared and questions can be asked of medical professionals that one may not have otherwise have access to.
If you have any questions about the Australian Ichthyosis Meet, please email Carly Findlay at ausichthyosismeet@gmail.com.
Carly is doing some fundraising for this important event to cover the cost of the GSNV Staff and photographer and to reduce the cost of zoo admission and transport for attendees. If you would like to contribute, please head over to the Australian Ichthyosis Meet fundraising page on gofundme.com . Any contribution you can make will be greatly appreciated.
For more information about Ichthyosis, please visit Carly's blog. You can also read more on the Ichthyosis website.
