Australians learn about muscular dystrophy from the world's best and Australia’s best minds

297 delegates descended upon the Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital Education Centre for the joint MontroseAccess/Parent Project Australia muscular dystrophy conference. On Oct 27-28, “Turning the Tide” brought together Australian families affected by muscular dystrophy, local and national experts and featured stellar appearances by the world’s leading authorities in current treatment and research.

Dr Elizabeth Vroom of The Netherlands was a special guest and her multiple talents saw her speaking three times on the program:

• United Parent Projects for Muscular Dystrophy – the international association of Parent Projects
• Current human trials in The Netherlands and the USA
• Orthdontics for Duchenne muscular dystrophy

Dr Vroom was accompanied by her son Justus who participated in a panel about life with MD. Dr Jos Hendricksen and Dr Johan Vles also from The Netherlands, were popular presenters discussing the cognitive development of children with muscular dystrophy. Dr Jonathon Finder’s presentation about respiratory care showed us the way for our youth, needing more specialized care as they age through improved life expectancy.

Dr Douglas Biggar from Canada wowed us with his longterm clinical expertise in treating children with steroids and Dr Judy Anderson, also from Canada, added to the hopeful advances in research made by our own Australian researchers, Prof. Andrew Hoey (Qld), Prof. Katheryn North (NSW) and Prof. Steve Wilton and Sue Fletcher (WA)

Psycho-social development for affected children and their siblings was addressed by Dr Kate Strohm (SA) and Dr Paula Barrett (Qld)

Families learned all about SMA from three specialists – Dr Jonathon Finder (USA), Dr Monique Ryan (Vic) and Dr Gus Cooper (Qld). Workshops for other forms of muscular dystrophy and various therapies were so full that the venue could not accommodate all who wanted to learn more.

So many stars appeared in the program that on Friday evening we celebrated their company with “Jazz under the Stars”- an informal dinner on the roof of the Brisbane Hospital. Delegates confirmed that their learnings and opportunities to discuss their children with these concerned professionals were so very worthwhile. One parent summarized her experience, “What I got out of it all – was hope!”

Parent Project Australia is committed to providing biennial educational events to keep families abreast of world standards of care. In partnership with MontorseAccess, the centre of excellence for the treatment of children with muscular dystrophy throughout Queensland, both organizations can be certain they have facilitated better care and better understanding of the major forms of childhood muscular dystrophy.

We are indebted to the wonderful support of both the Department of Disability Services Queensland and the Department of Families and Community Services, Canberra.

 United Way funded our alternate children's program at the idyllic Montrose complex on the banks of the Brisbane river. Parents commented that this quality service for children, reduced parental anxiety and responsbility for their children, enhancing their own educational experience.

Without the support of our many major sponsors and corporate friends, we would not otherwise have been able to organize an international standard event in Queensland. Thank you very sincerely.

Lastly, we wish to acknowledge all of our speakers and delegates who recognized in the program, the promise of improved outcomes for all our children and families.

To find out more about "Turning the Tide", just click on Home below. Don't forget to check out our conference photo gallery.