MBC CONFERENCE HIGHLIGHTS

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Facilitated Chapter Exchange
A four-member panel presented food for thought on the following topics – Chapter Development, Member Retention, Fundraising Fun and Community Awareness. Many ideas were presented to help us grow our chapters beyond their current capacity. The realization that all these functions are interrelated and necessary to the success of the future of our chapters became evident as the session closed.

Multiples Panel: Our Lives the Way we See it
Six sets of twins, representing monozygotic (identical), dizygotic (fraternal) and special needs, spoke to an attentive group of delegates. After a brief introduction of the panel, delegates were invited to step up to the microphone and ask questions of the group. Topics included educational issues, dating challenges, the need for individual attention, classmate attitudes, co-multiple feelings where special needs are a consideration, and parting words of advice for parents. At times the interchange became emotional, as personal experiences were shared. Words of advice came from 18-year-old twin girls who stressed, “we know that sometimes you feel like you don’t give us enough time because you have to share your attention, but we realize that. We know you’re doing your best, and you really haven’t deprived us.” They went on apologize for the strong bond they share, knowing that it sometimes it overpowers the primary role of parents.

Keynote Address: Barry Spilchuck – Chicken Soup for YOUR Soul
This speaker gave an electrifying wake-up call to conference delegates and community guests. He noted that the theme of the conference was caring for one’s soul. He advised people to be themselves. Be in the room. Be here now. Too often we are not fully attentive to the people around us; our mind should always be with our body. No trips. The intent is to have more moments in our lives when we can say “this was awesome!” He also told the delegates that we must envision a future in which we have balance and act that way. You need to know your goal in order to map out a plan to get there.

The Fun Times!
Sunday morning closing ceremonies were attended by the children of the organizing committee, which acted as a reminder that the bond we share as parents of multiples is important not just to the future of our chapters, but to future generations of Multiple Births Canada.