Hi all, i came back yesterday.. but was quite tired that dint have a chance to check what was going on in the site until now.. Andy is right, the conference had it weaknesses, but it depended on how you worked around those... so for me it was quite informative and beneficial... I made lots of contacts with so many thals from many countries, and also made contacts with doctors and was able to clarify everything i needed.. (thank you Andy, for helping me find the doctors i needed). There was one time the regulations and rules abt not letting us enter was so frustrating (on day three) that i was close to tears of anger. However, by talking (with Kymn and some other organisers,) i was able to get in for all the sessions i wanted. So, thank you Kymn, for making it happen..
I loved meeting Andy, shilpa and simran again... manal, puja, mariam, nur, miaki (am i missing anyone?) for the first time.. it was so great to see u all. Btw, i had such a lovely time with Andy, shilpa and simran on the last night of the conference. Thanks guys:D … I wish I had met many more of you guys there,… hopefully, next time
I hope to share with you all what i learnt and will also post pictures as soon as possible.. this may take sometime, coz im in full swing into my studies which are close to the finals for this sem :S
To answer your question Andy, I think its good to think about it really well before making a decision. Like you said, it has many advantages, one of it being legitimacy to this group.. However, please be careful of beurocracies which might not allow you to do things freely as you are doing it now. Joining some association shoudnt mean that anyone can tell you how and when and to whom you can, lets say for example, send desferal. Or that you have to get someone else's approval first, to do things WE or OUR GROUP think is right. Another experience i had with associations sometimes (not only thal, but any) is that people who are opinioned and tries to get things moving and changing for the better are silenced by allowing them a place in thier associations that they cannot refuse with lots of benefits (strings attached most of the times... )... so do be careful and think about all this before you decide something.