The 50th Annual Membership Meeting
“The Bridge to Hope”

Memphis, Tennessee - March 22-25, 2007

2007 AMM Presentations

2007 AMM Review

The National Ataxia Foundation Board of Directors and the National Ataxia Foundation Mississippi Chapter would like to welcome you to the 50th NAF Annual Membership Meeting. Please join us in celebrating the 50th anniversary of the National Ataxia Foundation. This 50th anniversary presents us with an opportunity to celebrate the incredible contributions that the National Ataxia Foundation has made and continues to provide to the ataxia community.

Since the founding of the National Ataxia Foundation, NAF has contributed immeasurably to the research progress, education and awareness of ataxia. For the last 50 years NAF has played a vital role in ensuring that our doors are truly open to all those affected by ataxia and their loved ones as a "Bridge to Hope".

This anniversary is also a celebration of the "Bridge Builders". The countless volunteers, NAF members, NAF supporters, NAF staff, members of the NAF Board of Directors, NAF Medical Research Advisory Board members, ataxia researchers, NAF Chapter and Support Group Leaders, NAF Ambassadors and the founders of NAF that have built the bridges and made the connections. Thanks to you we are building awareness, making connections to more people then ever and most of all finding out more information about ataxia through vigorous research efforts to help end ataxia.

As tradition for the past 50 years, the NAF Annual Membership Meetings have brought together NAF members and their families to meet and learn from the world leading ataxia researchers and neurologist but also to build new friendships and to catch up with old friends. Whether this is your first meeting or your 50th, this years Annual Membership Meeting will be filled with education, celebration, sharing and caring!

Program Overview

Thursday, March 22

Adult Early Arrival Outing - Join us for the early arrival outing Thursday March 22. We will be going to the Memphis Grizzlies vs. LA Lakers basketball game at the FedEx Forum. Transportation will not be provided to the FedEx Forum by NAF. The FedEx Forum is located on Beale Street, two blocks from the Beale street trolley stop or a short taxi ride away from the Memphis Downtown Marriott. You may make reservations for your game tickets or find out more information on ticket prices by calling Lori at the National Ataxia Foundation at 763-553-0020 or lori@ataxia.org. Game tickets are limited. Reservations are required by January 31, 2007.

Teen Early Arrival Group Outing - Attention all teens, NAF is very excited to be able to take you out to see the Memphis Grizzlies basketball team take on the LA Lakers at the FedEx Forum. Join your friends for some great sporting fun! Transportation will be provided at approximately 6:00pm to the game and at approximately 9:30pm back to the hotel. Tickets are limited and registration is required by January 31, 2007. Game tickets and transportation is free to the teens only ages 13-19. To register or find out more information please contact Bridget at the NAF office by calling 763-553-0020 or send her an email at bridget@ataxia.org.

Leadership Meeting - Current Chapter Presidents, Support Group Leaders and Ambassadors are encouraged to attend the Leadership Meeting. This meeting will address questions and concerns that are unique to those in this appreciated position as well as offer the opportunity to meet one another, and learn some tips from both peers and professionals. This meeting will run from 1:00 - 5:00 p.m. in the Nashville room. If you are not currently a group leader, but are interested in becoming one, please inquire ahead of time by contacting Lori at lori@ataxia.org.

Internet Group - This is your opportunity to meet some of those internet friends that you have met on the NAF chat room, NAF Bulletin Board, Internaf, Tricks of the Trade, Ataxia Forum, Ataxia Chat 2002, and FAPG. Join us in the Nashville room starting at 7pm.

Friday, March 23

Teen Program and Activities - The teens, ages 13-19, are invited to meet in the Beale room. This room is reserved for the teens to get to know each other, play games, watch movies and relax. In addition there will be scheduled group activities and guest speakers. Please make sure to mark "TEEN" on your registration form so we can plan accordingly. A full schedule will be available in the meeting program. Don't forget, teens are also welcome to attend the regular meeting program.

Breakout Sessions - Friday morning 45 minute sessions will be available on various topics. Topics will include Coping Early On-Set, Coping Late On-Set, Rehabilitation, Treatments & Medications, Nutrition, Service Dogs, Speech & Swallowing and Dance. For a complete schedule refer to the meeting agenda (pdf).

Birds of a Feather - In response to comments from last year's meeting we are going to continue to schedule Birds of a Feather on Friday afternoon. Groups will be sectioned off in individual or divided rooms based on your type of ataxia, caregivers, parents, etc. This is a tremendous opportunity for you to meet others with your type of ataxia or who share in a similar situation, and make friends that will last a lifetime. Medical professionals will also be on hand, circulating between groups, in case you have any questions.

Friday Night Reception - Please join us for a reception in the Memphis Cook Convention Center Ballroom A&B for a wonderful NAF 50th Birthday Celebration. All registered meeting attendees are welcome to attend and entrance to this event is included with your registration. Make plans to come and celebrate 50 years of NAF! The will be 50s music and food. All NAF conference attendees are encouraged to wear their 50s attire but its not required.

Saturday, March 24

General Sessions - Saturday morning and afternoon will be General Sessions in the Memphis Cook Convention Center Ballroom A&B. General Sessions are large group presentations, typically with a medical or research focus. Many of the world's leading ataxia researchers and clinicians, along with other ataxia experts, will be presenting the latest research and additional information. The meeting agenda outlines who will be speaking on Saturday. A half hour Question and Answer session will follow the morning and afternoon General Sessions with a panel of doctors and researchers.

Church Services - Catholic and Non-denominational church services will be held on Saturday at 6:00pm in the Jackson and Chattanooga rooms.

Silent Auction - As tradition at our annual gathering the silent auction will be held on Saturday afternoon and conclude at 7:30pm. We hope you get a winning bid and bring an auction item with you to the meeting. Auction items range from something that represents your state or country, such as a painting, spices, statues, and sports memorabilia, to a basket of knickknacks, hotels stays and weekend getaways. Good Luck!!

Saturday Evening Banquet - The Saturday Evening Banquet will begin at 7:00pm in the Memphis Cook Convention Center Ballroom A & B. Please stop by the St. Louis room to get your tickets - which are included in your registration fee - ahead of time. You must reserve seating for the banquet in advance. The banquet will include a plated dinner and surprising entertainment.

Sunday, March 25

General Sessions - Sunday morning wraps up the 2007 Annual Membership Meeting with the final round of General Sessions at 8:30am in the Memphis Cook Convention Center Ballroom A&B followed by a Question and Answer Session. Our meeting agenda outlines who will be speaking on Sunday.

Additional Information

Photo Waiver - By attending the 2007 NAF Annual Membership Meeting you give permission for images of you, captured during the conference through video, photo, and digital camera, to be used by the National Ataxia Foundation in promotional materials, publications, and web site and waive any and all rights including, but not limited to, compensation or ownership.

Hotel Registration and Room Rates - The hotel is located at the Memphis Downtown Marriott, 250 North Main Street, Memphis, TN 38103. To reserve a room online please go to http://marriott.com/property/propertypage/memdt?groupCode=ataataa&app=resvlink or call toll free at (800) 228-9290. To receive the special standard room rate of $126.00 per night, please let the reservationist know that you are with the National Ataxia Foundation when making your reservation by phone. All rates are subject to sales tax. The group rate is based on adult double occupancy. More then two adults per room will result in a higher room rate. Reservations MUST be made by February 27, 2007 to receive this special rate. There were a limited number of accessible rooms available on a first-come, first-serve basis. These rooms are full at this time. NAF will have a limited number of shower chairs, toilet frames, and tub bars available on a first-come, first-serve basis at the Memphis Marriott Downtown hotel front desk.

Attendant Care - Please note that NAF is unable to provide attendant care services. Due to liabilities and health concerns, NAF and hotel employees are not able to provide this service. Please do not attend without an assistant if you are need of one.

Transportation and Getting There

NAF is not responsible for transportation to and from the hotel. The following may be used as a helpful guide for your convenience.

Driving for Area Airports - Memphis (MEM)

• 1-901-527-7300
• Hotel Direction: 12 mi NW
• Driving Directions: I-240 North to I-40 West. Exit 1A at 2nd Street. Hotel is on left.

Para transit/Additional Accessible Travel - MATA plus is a service designed to meet the transportation needs of people with disabilities in the Memphis area. In order to utilize the benefits of MATA plus, riders must have a disability that prevents them from riding the MATA fixed route bus system. In order to utilize MATA plus service, you need to fill out an application. To request your application or to get more information about MATA plus, please call 901-722-7140 from 8am-4pm, Monday through Friday.

Arrow Transportation provides wheelchair accessible transportation to and from the Memphis Airport & Memphis Marriot. Tours to local attractions and Tunica, MS are also available. Reservations must be made in advance by March 1st and can be made by calling (901) 523-2002 and asking for the National Ataxia Foundation group rate of $35.00 per one way trip to and from the airport.

Wheelchairs Express is a service for anyone needing wheelchair accessible transportation to/from the airport. Please make your reservations directly with them in advance. The number for Wheelchairs Express is 901-353-3500.

Taxi Service To and From Area Airports (one Way)

• From MEM Airport estimated taxi fare: $27.00-35.00

Other Transportation - The Memphis Area Transit Authority (MATA) offers public bus service from the lower outer drive near Terminal C. The airport route, 32 East Parkway Airport, services the airport hourly. To contact MATA direct, you may call (901) 274-MATA. The Downtown Memphis Marriott is not located directly on the MATA bus line.