The keynote speaker is Carla Blowey, national presenter and editor of Living With Loss ™ Magazine. Carla is the author of Dreaming Kevin: The Path to Healing. The death of her five-year-old son, Kevin, and the nightmare that predicted it, forced her to reexamine her perceptions about death, loss, grief and the afterlife. Dreaming Kevin became a valuable tool for healing and reclaiming her life. Carla has coordinated and facilitated bereavement support groups, camps and workshops for children and adults, and presented workshops on dreams and grief. She is a Stephen Minister and was a member of the advisory board for Hospice of the Uncompahgre Valley. Carla presented Dreams: A Blessing in Disguise for Grieving Parents at Bereaved Parents of the USA 2003, 2005 & 2006 and The Compassionate Friends 2005 & 2006 national conferences. In 2006, she became the editor-in-chief of Living With Loss ™ Magazine. Columns include Reflections from the Editor, The Heartlight Connection and The Dream Connection. In her workshop, Dreams: A Blessing in Disguise for the Bereaved, Carla offers group participants an opportunity to see beyond the illusions of death and loss, bringing their dreams, their deceased loved ones and ultimately themselves, into the light. Visit www.dreamingkevin.com for additional information.

Submitted proposals for individual presentations should not exceed 500 words and should be clear on the content of the presentation. All sections of the form for contact information, presentation content, and description should be completed. Alongside a broad spectrum of individual presentations, we welcome submissions or panels organized around a common theme. Such sessions may comprise up to 6 individual presenters and a discussant. We regret that we are unable to offer honoraria to workshop presenters, however, free attendance to the event for those selected will be offered.

The Central New York Region of New York State has numerous offerings to visitors. The Mohawk Valley comprises an area rich in history and scenic beauty. Situated at the base of the foothills of the six million acre Adirondack Park, the Mohawk Valley is only a four to five hour drive to New York City, Boston, Philadelphia, Toronto, and Montréal.

Opened in 1993, Turning Stone was the first casino in New York State and is a city within a city. An enterprise of the Oneida Indian Nation, Turning Stone hosts an average of more than 12,000 visitors each day, 360,000 per month and 4.5 million per year – making it the 5th most visited tourist attraction in the state. The resort and casino offer gaming, accommodations, golf, restaurants, entertainment, meeting facilities, a health and fitness spa, and retail shops. Turning Stone Resort & Casino is located off New York Thruway exit 33, half way between Albany and Rochester, and just 30 miles east of Syracuse. This central location offers convenient access to all of Central New York’s attractions, including historic Revolutionary War sites, amusement parks, museums, shopping and an array of regional festivals.

The deadline for proposals is October 15, 2009. If you would like to receive a form via e-mail, please contact LaurieA.Fazekas@lifetimecare.org