Articles from prior issues of The Advocate

September/October, 1999

Highlights of the Great Plains Regional Conference
by Sherry Sheely, Great Plains Regional Director

THE GREAT PLAINS REGION HELD its Regional NADE Conference in Lincoln, Nebraska from June 14-16, 1999. Issues facing DDSs were discussed in an Administrator's panel that included Vicki Johnson (WY), Neil Scully (MO), Bill Starks (CO), Doug Willman (NE), and NADE President Jeff Price. Hot topics tossed around included Redesign, Prototype Rollout, Rationales, and the Five Month Waiting Period issue. Dr. Linda Schemechel addressed members on the topics ranging from childhood depression/anxiety, often misdiagnosed as ADHD, and she sorted through the Childhood mental disorders. Dr. Todd Fleisher, from the University of Nebraska Medical Center (UNMC), presented a very informative session on pain assessment and treatment. He discussed types of pain, pain responses, types of behavior and factors affecting pain, and treatment options. Another speaker, John Long, P.T., enlightened members on Fibromyalgia Pain Syndrome. Notes and handouts from his speech have become a permanent part of my "must keep information drawer." A session on recent advances in transplantation by Dr. Deborah Sudan, UNMC Transplant Clinic, focused on options to traditional organ transplants, including live donors and Xenotransplantation. Restoring Independence Through Technology was the subject of Craig Willeke's presentation. Amazing advances in technology and computers have brought many new assistive devices to the disabled and handicapped. Representatives from Social Security discussed fraud, rationales, and the public's perception and understanding of SSA. Also on the agenda was a tour of the Nebraska DDS and a demonstration of their computer system. The Nebraska Chapter provided many opportunities for networking and their hospitality was excellent! Congratulations to the fine people at the Nebraska DDS for an excellent conference!!!