Merry Christmas and a Happy 2012

Merry Christmas and
a Happy New Year to All

Greetings to one and all!
From the kid in us to the kid in you!

Dee and I have had a busy yet pleasant 2011.

April 15-17th we traveled to Sioux Falls where we attended the South Dakota Association for the Education of Young Children conference (SDAEYC) where I spoke for the second year in a row. It was a great conference.
End of April --I spoke at the Early Childhood Conference held at UW-Stout here in Menomonie, WI. to which I have been involved and presented with workshops for three years and will be there again in 2012.

The best of the year was getting to be in Madison in August for a Cognitive Disability Conference sponsored by CESA in which our friend Dr. Ashleigh Molloy from Toronto, Ontario, Canada was a presenter. We were both keynote presenters and workshop leaders. It was great and you can find our presentation clips online on our websites thanks to Dee! Like them or not! LOL

It had been several years since we three had been together other than through email and phone calls. Dr. Ash, Dee and I had a good time after the conference sitting on the lakeside in Madison relaxing, enjoying the sailboats and chatting. He wanted to bring back to his family in Toronto some Krumkake ( made in Racine) that he had eaten at a party honoring one of the Wisconsin educators but we could not find a store near us that had that delicious Scandinavian cake dessert.

This summer we had some beautiful weather and we had fun going to a few places on our own to enjoy the lakes and country. I, of course, was again at Lake Wapogasset Bible Camp teaching one day a week to young people about disabilities. I spoke at chapel and that would have been about 4000-5000 kids that heard about faith and disabilities and how to respect everyone.

In September, Dee and I were home in Kenmare, North Dakota and had a great time being with mom and dad. My dad is 92 years old last June and we got to see photos of his "Rough Rider's" flight to Washington, DC in May of 2011 with my sister Terri. My dad is a WWII veteran. I am happy he enjoyed the trip. Of course, while in North Dakota I spoke for two days at Minot State University to some special education classes where my book is being used as a textbook. ( IQ of 63, So What!)

The end of September Dee and I flew to Columbus, Ohio where we were invited and attended a church conference sponsored by two church ministries concerning disabilities and mental health within church congregations called "Widening the Welcome". It was a great conference and we met a lot of new friends. For the past few months Dee and I have been to several churches extending this "Widening the Welcome" within congregations to welcome people with disabilities. We need to welcome all and embrace our differences and uniqueness. (Please visit us at http://www.bendanderson.com/10-10%20Team%20donations.htm and support our non-profit Break Through Inc.)

We are looking forward to 2012 as we begin our new year. We have a two week tour in South Dakota in April 2012 where I will be speaking at schools, parent groups, churches and in-service training.
Dee and I hope you have a Blessed Christmas and a Good New Year. Remember to keep that kid in you! Ben and Dee