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Maryland Respite Care Coalition (MRCC)

MRCC News


For Immediate Release
August 12, 2009

Media Contact:
Lisa A. Shenkle
VERB! Communications
410.439.4695 or lisa@verbcommunications.com

Congressman Elijah E. Cummings, Honorary Chair 
Maryland Respite Care Coalition, Inc.’s 12th Annual Respite Awareness Day Conference

Rockville, MD – The Maryland Respite Care Coalition, Inc. (MRCC) proudly announces Congressman Elijah E. Cummings as Honorary Chairman of its 12th Annual Respite Awareness Day Conference to be held on Monday, October 26, 2009, 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM at the Maritime Institute in Linthicum, Maryland.

This year’s conference theme is RESPITE: Stop Talking and Start Doing.  The conference is a call to everyone who has provided, is providing or is about to provide care for a disabled loved one, across the lifespan, (lifespan: a term which means at any time in their life - seniors, children, siblings, friends), to come together and to create a campaign of passionate advocacy.  The conference is also intended to increase public awareness and knowledge of the need for quality respite services for all caregivers. 

U. S. Congressman Elijah E. Cummings, representing Maryland’s 7th District, is the Honorary Chairperson for this year’s conference.  As a long standing member of the U. S. House of Representative, Congressman Cummings is committed to empowering and uplifting the people he has sworn to represent.

Keynote Speaker, Dr. Levi Watkins, Jr., is Associate Dean of the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine and Full Professor of Cardiac Surgery.  His keynote address, entitled “A Dream Fulfilled,” will be an autobiographical sketch focusing on his lifelong journey filled with personal experiences, observations, and challenges.

President of MRCC and co-chair of this year’s conference, Alidz T. Khachaturian explains that there are many life altering challenges due to major illnesses (Alzheimer’s disease, developmental disability, mental illness, Autism, Parkinson’s, Lou Gehrig’s disease, HIV, multiple sclerosis, AIDS, etc,) that individuals and families confront.  For the caregiver, in particular, respite is a valuable and a cost effective resource that provides  
peace of mind during periods of stress, time for the caregiver to tend to personal errands – and even their own doctors’ appointments – and is the foundation for improving the general quality of life, even if it is only limited to brief periods of time.

Co-chair, Michelle Hart, says invited guest speakers will include legislators and top state officials “who will provide insight and guidance on how today’s economy will impact respite services in Maryland and throughout the nation.”

Highlights from the conference, which is planned, coordinated and managed by the  all-volunteer MRCC Conference Planning Committee, is the engine responsible for the twelve workshops at the heart of the conference, including:
  • A Workshop on Sexuality
  • Keeping Active is the Key to Quality Dementia Care
  • Advocacy: Learn to Master the Grassroots Game
  • The Role of the Male Caregiver
  • Latinas as Caregivers 
  • What About Me?-Leave No Sibling Behind 
  • Baby Boomers & Seniors as Caregivers: Dealing with Stress and many more.
Awards, exhibits, prizes and networking punctuate the all-day conference. For Further information: Contact MRCC at 240-453-9585 or go to www.respitecoalition.org.
 
MRCC is a statewide organization that advocates the need for Respite Care Services for all caregivers.  Respite Care provides a break for the caregiver who is caring for a child, adult, friend or neighbor with special needs or circumstances.  MRCC is a grassroots, all volunteer organization that envisions all caregivers receiving quality Respite Care Services. Maryland Respite Care Coalition, Inc. (MRCC), is a 501 (c) (3) non-profit (Federal Tax ID # 52-2212341)
 
 
Copyright (c) 2009, Maryland Respite Care Coalition, Inc.
MRCC is a 501 (c) (3) non-profit • Federal Tax ID #52-2212341
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