UK Keratoconus Self-Help and Support Association

I'd just like to post a quick thank you to all those who gave their time to speak at the conference yesterday, especially to GarethB who brought things down to earth by sharing his own experiences.

It was also very good to meet so many people from the forum in person.

The conversation ice-breaker was a gift, although I will say now that I didn't faint on purpose! Ken bent my glasses back into shape, so I could see better in the afternoon, and I'm just now left with carpet burns to the face

For those of you who did attend, we're always interested in your feedback. What was good? What was a waste of time? What should we consider for the next conference? What didn't we cover that we should have?

I'll get the powerpoint presentations uploaded to the members-only part of the site in a few days.

Sounds like it was an eventful occasion!

Looking forward to seeing others responses

I ATTENDED THE CONFERENCE ON SATURDAY AND WAS REALLY IMPRESSED.
IN PARTICULAR I FOUND USEFUL THE TALKS FROM GARETH BEYNON AND KEN PULLUM.
IT WAS REALLY GOOD TO MEET WITH OTHERS WHO HAVE K.C..., IN PERSON.
I FEEL VERY GRATEFUL TO ALL THOSE WHO HAD INVOLVEMENT IN ORGANISING THE EVENT, AND THOSE WHO CONTINUALLY KEEP THIS GROUP GOING, AND GROWING.
MANY THANKS,
SARAH.

I must thank all those who put the confrence together and I amplease John that you are fine.

No thanks is necessary for my presentation, I was honoured to be asked and it is my way of giving something back to all of you who have helped me so much in the past twelve months. All the credit people give me here, should also be directed at everyone who posts on this forum. Thank you all of you in the KC community for putting my life back on track.

It was great meeting Ken and the other specialists, I have a greater appreciation of some of the issues they face regarding treating us. Ken was very entertaining and I enjoyed our lunch time chat where he was not afraid to take the opposing view to stimulate a very thought provoking debate. Most educational. Thank you all.

I think I now know why confrences are evry two years; it must take at least six months to recover!

In the meantime, I will be looking at extended the acupuncture I have on my back to seeing if it will help my KC.

Great job everyone.

Thanks

Gareth

Many thanks to all those who gave up their time to present a wide range of thought provoking topics and experiences on the day and of course also to those, behind the scenes, who made it all happen in the first place!

Also as important, at least for me, was the opportunity to meet fellow KCers, compare situations and learn how they cope with their particular challenges. So it would be even better, in my view, if in future conferences we might have more time, maybe in the form of additional tea/coffee breaks, for these informal discussions which I found so useful (thanks to Melissa, Sandi and Sue amongst others! )

Thanks again to all concerned for an interesting and enjoyable day!

John John John What were you doing?!! LOL!!! Maybe i need to go to the next conference for the sole purpose of being a nurse on call! LMAO!! I do attend some festivals and public events as a first aider maybe you should extend it to your conferences hehehe

Am glad you are ok though, and that everything went well Sounds like a great day all round.

I just have one complaint on the whole thing, wheres Wales in all of this??? LOL! I think i should put it on the map and we could have a conference in Cardiff! LMAO!! Just a thought!!!!!!! Well to me it is the green green grass of home and im sure that there are many with KC there too! hehehehe

Fear not Sweet,

I think the group is open to suggestions as to where the next one should be. Scotland and the North of England were mentioned but seem you have your request for Wales nice and early

Just make sure if it is in Wales, you are not in London

Gareth

Hi Folks,
Firstly, Many great thanks and appreciation to ALL the organisers of the Conference, Speakers and professionals who contributed and ALL the people who attended!
I thought it was well put together and some healthy discussions!
John!! You sure gave me a jump!!! Sweet.... was in good hands... leading surgeaons attending to our man john! you shoulda seen them fussing over him!
Glad your all good though!

I most certainly would like to see it held elsewhere in the country, with some more realllllllyyy interesting videos like what ken showed!!! LMAO!

Regards

Hi everyone, I would just like to reiterate all the comments so far regarding Saturday's KC Conference - it was lovely to meet new KCers and catch-up with 'old' KCers! The variety of speakers was very good, ranging from the professional to the personal view of KC; with a lively debate at the end as to what we see as the main priority of the KC Group. Very interesting to hear how the group in Australia does things - I think both groups can probably learn alot from each other.

Many thanks again to all the Committee for doing such a good job in organising this event for the third time and being brave enough to move outside London - well done!

My feedback is as follows:-

a) I think tea and coffee breaks are very important to allow time for everyone to get to know each other and share experiences. I found this aspect definitely 'missing' this time round (lunchtime is always very hectic!). Many of us will never meet anyone with KC during our normal day-to-day life and I think the conference/local mtgs go a long way to helping with this and that it is important for time to be allowed on the agenda, besides the fact that a break is generally needed as often the sessions are quite long and intense (and hot on this occasion!). Obviously, this Discussion Forum helps a great deal, however, there is no substitute for meeting people face-to-face.

b) It was very difficult to read some of presentations on the screen. Considering the audience is visually impaired to varying degrees, would it be possible to check presentations before a future conference and make any necessary alterations so they can be seen from a distance? Taking into account size of text and colours of background/text.

c) It was difficult to hear some speakers - not sure if this was the sound system or the speakers!! Unfortunately, if a speaker cannot be heard properly, one tends to switch off and something important could be missed.

These are only a few niggles and they do not take away from the fact that the Conference was excellent as usual, but they may help to make it even better in the future.

Once again, thanks and well done to everyone involved. SUE

...and to web cast the next one for those that couldnt attend it...or record it and make it available online?........