The National Spasmodic Dysphonia Association invites you to attend the 25th
Anniversary Symposium on Saturday, May 3, 2014 at the Hilton Garden Inn O'Hare
Airport in Des Plaines, IL. Join us for fellowship, education, and fun. The event will host some of the leading experts in the field of spasmodic dysphonia while providing the opportunity to meet others who share a similar experience.

The goals of the Symposium are:

• To provide a learning environment in which people with spasmodic dysphonia may enhance their understanding of the disorder;
• To facilitate an exchange of information on how to live effectively with the
  disorder;
• To increase NSDA’s capabilities in measuring and understanding the needs of its
  members in order to develop future programs.

Welcome Party and Symposium
On Friday evening, there will be a Welcome Party at 6:30 p.m. for all attendees. This is a wonderful opportunity to socialize and meet many new friends. The Symposium will take place on Saturday, May 3.

7:40 a.m.          Registration Opens / Continental Breakfast

8:30 a.m.          Welcome - Charlie Reavis, NSDA President

8:50 a.m.          Spasmodic Dysphonia Overview Panel
                           Moderator: Dr. Robert Bastian
                           Panel: Dr. Seth Dailey, Christy Ludlow, and Brent Richardson

9:40 a.m.          Treatment Panel: Speech Therapy
                           Moderator: Dr. Julie Barkmeier Kramer
                           Panel: Drs. Julia Edgar, Steve Sims and Jan Potter Reed

10:30 a.m.       Break

10:50 a.m.       Treatment Panel: Botulinum Toxin Injections
                          Moderator: Dr. Andrew Blitzer
                          Panel: Drs. Robert Bastian, Seth Dailey, and Brent Richardson

11:40 a.m.       Treatment Panel: Surgical Options
                          Moderator: Dr. Joel Blumin
                          Panel: Drs. Andrew Blitzer, Seth Dailey and Steve Sims

12:30 p.m.       Lunch

1:00 p.m.         Vocal Tremor Workshop

1:15 p.m.         Mindfulness, Meditation, and Progressive Relaxation
                          Kate DeVore, MA, CCC-SLP

2:00 p.m.         Abductor SD Workshop
                          Living with SD Panel
                          Friends and Family Panel

 3:00 p.m.        Adductor SD Workshop
                          Abductor Discussion Panel

4:00 p.m.        Research Milestones in SD over 25 Years
                         Moderator: Dr. Christy Ludlow
                         Panel: Drs. Andrew Blitzer and Joel Blumin

5:00 p.m.         Closing Remarks

5:15 p.m.         Adjourn

Finally on Sunday, May 4, enjoy the sites of the city of Chicago with an optional ½ day tour from 8:00 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. The tour will cover the city's history, architecture and culture along with the opportunity for stops at Millennium Park, the University of Chicago, the Museum Campus, and more.

Hotel and Transportation Information
The meeting will be held at the Hilton Garden Inn Chicago O'Hare Airport which is located at 2930 S. River Road in Des Plaines, IL. The rooms feature free wifi, mini refrigerator and microwave along with facilities for working out and an indoor pool.

The closest airport is O'Hare Airport (ORD) and the hotel offers a complimentary shuttle to/from that airport which can be picked up at the Bus Shuttle Center, Door 2. Follow the signs for the Bus Shuttle Center from Baggage Clain on the lower lever. Please looks for the shuttle from the Hilton Garden Inn Chicago O'Hare Airport. The shuttle runs continually, but you may also call the hotel for a an estimate on time. The phone number 847-296-8900. The hotel is about 10 minutes from the airport.

Parking at the hotel is free.

Dress
Casual attire is appropriate for the symposium. Since the hotel is air-conditioned, bringing a sweater or jacket is advisable. We cannot control the temperature in the meeting rooms.

NSDA Ambassador Program
NSDA Symposiums provide a wonderful opportunity to connect with others living with spasmodic dysphonia. For first-time attendees, we host an NSDA Ambassador Program. We will try to match people of similar experience with another experienced attendee to help answer questions and be a “point-person” at the symposium. If you have been to a NSDA Symposium or similar type meeting, we encourage you to sign up to be an Ambassador on the registration form.

Please join us a we look back with pride as we celebrate the 25th anniversary of the NSDA and celebrate the future!

Register Now!