Saying Goodbye Is Never Easy And It’s Not Forever!

First off – a huge thank you to ADDA members and our wonderful speakers, presenters, and exhibitors.  What an amazing event!  Boy – it was no joke when people shared with me that this conference is a life changing event.

No argument there!

In fact, there is no discussion at all about how incredible this conference was.  It was truly amazing to connect with people from all over the world.  If memory serves me correct, ADDA was represented by the following countries:

• Sweden
• Germany
• Israel
• Canada
• And much, much more…

What an honor to meet so many people who were all there for one mission: to live, love, laugh, and learn.  Maybe I got a little carried away with the “l-words,” but it really was something else.

Now, before I forget and lose track – I wanted to talk about saying goodbye.  There sure were a lot of hugs and maybe some tears going around, but above all else there was connection.

It was not easy saying goodbye, especially to people who we might have gotten to know “virtually” and met for the first time.  Or maybe it was the new friends and colleagues – where relationships will develop over time.  I have no doubt…

This ADDA conference was a great success (based on feedback of course)!

For those of you couldn’t be there with us, I hope this blog served as a venue for to be included, and feel included as part of this family!

ADDA Recap of Saturday’s Events

Good morning everyone!

Thanks for hanging in here with us as we blog from the 2008 ADDA conference.  I know some of you have been waiting ever so patiently for an update, so I do apologize for not getting back here sooner.

I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again, the conference energy really takes a hold of you once you get going.  It’s one of these events where when you are not getting enough sleep – your raw adrenaline just carries you through the day.  (And sure there might be lulls, but we do need downtime).

Events of Saturday (and perhaps more from Evelyn and others on this later).

• Dr. Ned Hallowell’s Keynote Presentation
• Dr. Hallowell, Sari Solden, & John Ratey panel discussion
• Too many breakout sessions to list – but including our very own David Giwerc, Evelyn Polk-Green, local CHADD coordinator Steven Peer, Dee Doochin, and Sari Solden as well.

Of course you can certainly check out the full list of events at http://www.addameeting.com.

More to follow…

Quick note from Evelyn (using Rory’s sign in!)

I just did a quick run through the exhibit hall to say hi to the ADDA conference exhibitors and to talk to a few of our attendees. And what a rush!

From the exhibit hall: I learned about the most amazing software currently in development to help coaches, parents and anyone else trying to “coach” a young person (or even an old one) on responsible financial management. Sounds like just what I need for BOTH my sons (I really want them to be better at managing their finances than ME!!).

But the best part was actually talking to Ken and Nick – the father/son team who developed the software and program. It was absolutely delightful to hear Ken talk about how they developed the software after watching (and being frustrated with) Nick’s financial struggles and screw-ups. The respect and love they had for each other was obvious and how wonderful to see the dad of an ADHD young man who was so clearly accepting and loving toward his son despite his challenges! These two clearly have developed the kind of relationship that any of u with ADHD would want to have with our parents – and our children with ADHD.

Talking to them will certainly make doing my session in 45 minutes or so on living and thriving with AD/HD a lot more meaningful… especially since both my young men arrived this morning and are sitting on the panel to talk about living – and thriving – together with ADHD!

I also got a chance to meet a couple from Washington DC who are attending the conference for the first time. They couldn’t talk enough about what a wonderful experience this has been for them and it made me incredibly proud to be ADDA president. It was just the boost my flagging energy needed to get through this afternoon session and the open house reception we have planned for our speakers right after.

I’ll check in a little later and let you know how it all goes!

ADDA Day 2 In Full Swing

I have to tell you, stepping away from the energy and passion at this conference to share information is really hard.  Not because it can’t be done…  And not because I am trying to make you feel as if you are missing out.

In fact, it’s completely the opposite.  The conference is just booming at this point.  The days are filled with presentations and incredible information – but beyond that – you are with a group of people who really do inspire and keep you invested in being downstairs.

These speakers and our attendees are just so warm and extending…

And you could see it and feel it in the room this morning.  Dr. Ned Hallowell started our day off with his keynote presentation on Discovering the Buried Treasure.

He inspired people to look at the strengths within each and everyone of us.  Beyond that, rather than hearing from me, it might be better to hear a little from what others are saying.

Not too long ago I took an elevator ride and overheard the following comments:

“He really gets it.”

“He focuses on the gifts, and that is so important to us.”

“The best talk so far.”

From the standing ovation at the end of his keynote, to the buzz in the hall, you can tell people really connected with Dr. Hallowell’s message.

An Incredible Rush Of “ADDA” Energy

Well here it is, a little after 6 PM local time, and things are just cruising along at the Attention Deficit Disorder Association Annual Conference.

There is a tremendous buzz in the hallways and the exhibit hall following the break out sessions with our speakers.  It is incredible to merely be a fly on the wall, listening to people having these “a-ha” moments, and having a chance to follow up with their favorite speakers, friends, colleagues, and other members.

I really can’t capture all of this in words.  Being new to ADDA, and being a first time attendee, there really is so much to take on.

Perhaps the greatest comment I have heard thus far (and I have heard plenty), is this feeling of family… a feeling of being home.

Sari said it this morning in her keynote, and she shared the same message in the follow up interview that we conducted a little over 2 hours ago.

Sidebar: Sari shared some great points, and she is truly a visionary and individual who clearly cares and wants to make share each and every person feels connected.

As I get a little sidetracked myself, the “sidebar” comment is really that this post-keynote interview will be shared with all you soon.

We are also in the process of getting “mini-interviews” with various other speakers, as well as with attendees who would like to share their conference experience with all of you “listening” and reading at home.

If you’d like to hear from a particular speaker, please leave us a comment.  We’ll do everything we can to give you a little bit of the ADDA experience.

More to follow…

Recap of Keynote Points From Sari Solden

I rarely manage to sit through a whole conference session, even our keynotes. But today I was sitting in place where I couldn’t make a fast break out the door, so I didn’t have much choice… thank goodness! Instead of being “trapped” there for an hour as I thought I would be, I was one of the lucky ADDA conference attendees that got to hear Sari Solden’s Keynote: A Whole View of Success.

Here’s a quick review of her main points:

1. Heal old wounds.
2. Learn to aim for wholeness not perfection. Learn to live your own life – “think about the life you want to live now”.
3. Move toward improvement instead of concentrating on finding solution. Take small steps every day toward a meaningful life.
4. Understand the delicate balance between acceptance and action: acceptance is the precursor of change not the opposite of it. Pick up your burdens and move on.
5. Tell yourself a new story about yourself. Re-examine the story you have to tell about yourself.

It was a truly amazing talk – but no less than we expect – and get – from Sari every year.

Day 1 Update: Sari Solden’s Keynote

Just a quick update this afternoon as it has really been a whirlwind day.

Sari Solden officially kicked off the conference this morning with a keynote speech entitled, “A Whole New View Of Success.”

It was an incredibly passionate and down-to-earth presentation on the challenges, struggles, passion, and success of approaching ADD from a more “whole” point of view, rather than just focusing on the problem.

The talk was great, Sari made us all laugh, with particular mention of some antics of two of the ADDA board members (more on that later).

Please keep your eyes posted on the blog today. Evelyn Polk-Green will be expanding on Sari’s talks, and sharing some of the key points.

Perhaps even more exciting is that we are going to be doing a post-keynote interview with Sari that we hope to bring to you live over the web.

Let us know your thoughts, comments, or anything you’d like to know about here at the 13th annual ADDA conference.

Live From The ADDA Conference

Well – it’s official.

Tonight we kicked off the 13th annual Attention Deficit Disorder Association (ADDA) Conference.

While the main events don’t really start until tomorrow (when Sari Solden opens with her keynote – A Whole New View Of Success), things here in Minneapolis have kicked off with a bang. We opened the exhibition hall, after a brief introduction to many of our speakers, where we all then gathered to talk. And boy oh boy are people talking.

There are already close 200 people in the exhibition hall just chatting away and catching up after who knows how long…

Our President, Evelyn Polk-Green, once said that an ADDA conference is like being with family – and as this is my first event – I can certainly attest to that.

It’s an incredible feeling to be here with people who truly understand one another – without exception.

This weekend is sure to be fun, and for those of you who weren’t able to join us – we all hope this blog will serve as a bridge to bring you into our community.

Keep your eyes posted here for LIVE updates from the ADDA conference.

Rory

Coming To You Live From Minneapolis

Attention Minneapolis:

The wold of the Attention Deficit Disorder Association is about to descend upon you. Starting tomorrow (or even some today), people from all over the country will be joining you to celebrate the 13th annual ADDA conference.

Check back here for updates Live from the conference – as well as for:

• Exciting News
• Updates
• Special Offers
• Sneak Peek from the conference

We’ll be updating periodically from the conference.

Bloggers will be members of the ADDA National Board of Directors – and possible some guest bloggers will share their experience from the show…

Stay Tuned to this channel!