SFBAC - LPA Chapter 4

Little People of America

Chapter 4
District 12

Little People of America (LPA) is a nonprofit organization that provides support and information to people of short stature and to their families. The organization was created in 1957 by Billy Barty and friends.

The San Francisco Bay Area Chapter (SFBAC) was established in 1962. We are a group of families, friends, acquaintances, and professionals who are connected by our experience with short stature.

You are welcome to contact us for more information, for support, or to join with everyone at the local activities we hold throughout the year.

We hope you will find this site useful. Here you will find information about social events, contacts for more information about dwarfism, local resources, and how you can participate with us. Enjoy!

LPA is dedicated to improving the quality of life for people with dwarfism throughout their lives while celebrating with great pride Little People’s contribution to social diversity. LPA strives to bring solutions and global awareness to the prominent issues affecting individuals of short stature and their families.

The Magical Mask is an illustrated book for children about the use of CPAP (Continuous Positive Airway Pressure) mask. The new storybook is based on a story by Keren Stronach, who originally wrote a story called The Magic Mask for her daughter, Talia, who was diagnosed with sleep apnea at the age of two. The story had an immediate effect on Talia, who requested that the story be read to her several times before agreeing to wear her mask.

After speaking to other parents who had trouble helping their kids adjust to therapy, Keren wanted to write a story that would help children feel more comfortable about wearing a mask. Keren hopes that the story will help to ease the process of introducing the mask to young children.

Copies of the book are available for free by calling ResMed: 1-800-424-0737 option 1. Thanks to Keren and ResMed, the story (illustrated by William Ross) is also available online.

SFBAC Newsletter online
www.lpabayarea.org/SFBAC_newsletter.html

LPA national organization web site
www.lpaonline.org

LPA regional area web site
www.lpad12.org

Dwarf Athletic Association of America web site
www.daaa.org

You can register your grocery, merchant charge, debit and credit cards. After you sign in you can also shop at hundreds of brand name stores at the Online Mall. Did you know you can choose up to three organizations to receive eScrip donations? To select SFBAC as a beneficiary, use the Group ID 125298509. Shop with eScrip! Many thanks!

Billy Barty's Jacket This suit was originally worn by the founder of LPA, Billy Barty (1924-2000). A close friend now wears the jacket displaying the tailor's label, "Specially Made for Billy Barty."

All photos courtesy of Gary Parker, www.garyparker.com and www.catdogphotography.com, except where noted.

Quick Calendar

• May 27 (12-4 PM) – Memorial Day Sports and Swimming
• June 15-20 – The Painted Turtle Camp
• June 29-July 6 – LPA National Conference
• June 30-July 5 – DAAA National Games
• August 4 (1-4 PM) – Pool Party
• September 7-9 – Big Basin Redwoods Campout
• October 5-7 – LPA D12 Regional Fall Conference

See below for details. The events calendar and details for SFBAC activities are also available in the current issue of our newsletter. To read the current issue online, please see the NEWSLETTER section of this web site.

Memorial Day Sports and Swimming Fun
noon-4 PM, Sunday
May 27, 2012
Pleasanton, CA

Join our hosts Joel Lusk and Marcia Ishii for fun day of sports, swimming, and hanging out. This is a day for everyone - from toddlers to adults! Activities include soccer, baseball, Frisbee, swimming, climbing play structures, eating pizza and lounging around in picnic chairs. We will meet in the park next to the Aquatic Center at noon for FREE PIZZA and games, and then head over to the pool for swimming afterwards.

What to bring:
Drinks or snacks to share, chairs or blankets to sit on, swimming suits, towels, and sunscreen, frisbees, soccer balls, softballs, baseballs, tennis balls (for "shot put" event), paddle balls or whatever else you think would be fun. We also need cones! Please RSVP how many cones you can bring.

Directions from Hwy 580:
Exit Santa Rita Road south, follow for about 1-2 miles past 6 or more lights, turn right on Black Ave. after Valley. The Aquatic Center is on your right. Turn right at the second driveway, to drive behind the Aquatic Center. Follow the driveway around to the park grounds.

Directions from Hwy 680:
Exit at Stoneridge Ave, one exit south of the 580 interchange, and head east. Follow Stoneridge for 2 or 3 lights until Hopyard Ave, and turn right. Follow Hopyard past 2 lights (West Las Positas and Valley) and turn left at the next light, Black Ave. Follow Black Ave. almost to the end. About 200 yards before Santa Rita Road, look for the Aquatic Center on your left, turn into the parking lot and go behind the Aquatic Center to the park grounds.

An e-vite with details including park and pool locations and driving directions has been sent to LPA members in April. Please contact Joel Lusk and Marcia Ishii by email or phone at (510) 877-0556 with any questions or to request an e-vite.

Skeletal Dysplaysia Summer Camp
at The Painted Turtle
June 15-20
Lake Hughes, CA

Each summer the Painted Turtle organization holds one week of camp specifically for 7-16 year old children with dwarfism. This year Skeletal Dysplaysia Camp Week is June 15-20, 2012. Everyone is invited to apply early. Admission to camp is granted to 120 applicants. There is No Cost to attend camp, although donations are accepted. All application paperwork, including medical forms, must be submitted before an applicant can be considered for admission. Application forms in English and Spanish are available to download from the web. If you would like to receive a application by mail, please notify LPA members Tammie Waldo or Tracey Thompson.

As usual, the camp staff anticipates that camp will be full to the max with 120 kids, so if you are interested, do get your application in as soon as you can!
Camp staff will let you know in June if your child is accepted or wait-listed for summer camp this year.
Summer camper ages are 7-16.
We are in need of items and volunteers for camp, specifically step stools for the cabins and cafeteria, and nurses to be on staff during our week.
Parents and close relatives of campers are not allowed to be at camp (even if you are a nurse) – so if you have any other family members or friends, or any favorite nurses at your pediatricians office please pass on this information to the camp staff.

The camp is located north of Los Angeles near Lake Hughes, CA (map and directions). On-site state-of-the-art medical clinic, medical staff, and camp counselors are available at all times. For more information please visit the Painted Turtle web site, www.thepaintedturtle.org.

Last year 120 campers from across the nation participated in a wonderful and memorable week of camp. If you are interested in volunteering at camp, donating to the LPA transportation fund, or if you have any questions, please contact Tammie Waldo or Tracey Thompson or leave a voicemail at the national LPA office, (714) 862-4247.

LPA
2012 National Conference
June 29 - July 6
Dallas, TX

The 2012 LPA National Conference will be held in Dallas, TX from June 29 - July 6 at the Dallas Sheraton Hotel. A full conference description and registration forms has been mailed to LPA members during April 2012. The LPA National Conference Registration Book and online registration forms are now available at LPAonline and through these links: conference book, online conference form, 2012 conference FAQ webpage.

Membership in LPA is required in order to register for the conference and to take advantage of the special hotel room rate. If you are new to LPA or if you need to renew your membership, you may do so online or by submitting a membership form with your conference registration forms. Membership dues are $55 per household per year or $120 for 3 years; $35 per year for college/vocational students with proof of enrollment; $35 per year for international members; and $20 per year for seniors 65 years and older. If you cannot afford dues, you can apply for free membership due to financial hardship by contacting the LPA National Office.

To volunteer at the conference, please contact Stacy Faught by email to kfaught@comcast.net. Help is needed in the Kid's Room, Registration, Teen Events, Young Adult Outings, Hospitality, Banquet, etc. The conference committee would LOVE to have you on the team!

To donate to the LPA National Conference, please contact Lois Lamb by email to littlelogl@aol.com. You can donate any amount. Every penny counts and can be used in some way. Other donations such as a Wii or games for the Teen Room, etc. are also needed. If you or someone you know can donate these types of items, please let us know. Lois Lamb has a donation letter that she can send you or the person willing to donate. Checks need to be made out to: 2012 Little People of America (LPA) National Conference and mailed to Lois Lamb.

Dwarf Athletic Association of America
2012 National Games
June 30 - July 5
Dallas, TX

The DAAA 26th National Games will be held in Dallas, TX from June 30 - July 5, 2012. The conference will be hosted by Dallas/Fort Worth Chapter 2. Further details should be available early in 2012.

In support of our athletes, DAAA usually needs about 100 volunteers to assist with the organization and execution of each year’s National Games. DAAA appreciates any commitment that athletes, family, and friends can make to volunteer time while attending the 2012 National Games.

DAAA is seeking sponsors and donors to support and help to defer the cost of hosting Games. You can help DAAA athletes and volunteers continue to provide quality athletic events for dwarf athletes by either becoming or enlisting a sponsor for the 2012 National Games. If you or someone or a business you know is able to help, please complete a sponsorship form and return it to DAAA with the contribution.

As an alternative, DAAA would be happy to make contact with any potential sponsors that you might recommend. Please e-mail Mike Cekanor, DAAA Board Vice President, with the name of the contact person, business name (if applicable), phone number and e-mail address of the potential sponsor you would like us to contact. We will contact the sponsor and advise you of our results.

Special Note to DAAA Athletes: Any athlete that recommends a sponsor who commits to a sponsorship amount of $500 or more will receive a free registration to this year’s National Games!

Pool Party
1:00 - 4:00 pm
Saturday, August 4
Larkspur, CA

The Weisner/Uniake family invites everyone to a pool party at their home. You’ll need to bring snacks to share, swimsuit, sunscreen, and towel. Please be sure to RSVP by Saturday, July 28 , so we can provide enough adult supervision!

For more information or to request an e-vite, please contact the Uniake-Weisers at (415) 924-6914 or by email.

Directions
From San Francisco and points south:
• Take 101 north to the Tamalpais/Paradise Drive exit (Corte Madera/ Larkspur)
• Turn left at the traffic light onto westbound Tamalpais Drive.
• Continue approximately 1 mile (road will curve to the right and to the left)
• Turn right onto Corte Madera Ave, which changes name to Magnolia Ave at Larkspur's border; continue approximately one mile on Magnolia Ave. into downtown Larkspur.
• At the first stop light, turn left onto Ward St. (Left Bank Cafe is at this corner)
• Continue 1 1/2 blocks to 136 Ward Street (One house before cross street of Hawthorne)
• House is on right.

From the East Bay:
• Take the Richmond/San Rafael Bridge, exiting at the Sir Francis Drake exit 1/2 mile past the bridge.
• Continue on Sir Francis Drake Blvd. for approximately 1 1/2 miles, passing the Larkspur Landing shopping center, passing under under highway 101 (be in the left lane at this point).
• Take the southbound entrance ramp to 101; remain in the right lane and exit immediately at the Lucky Drive exit onto Fifer Drive. Continue on Fifer through traffic light.
• Turn left at the end of Fifer onto Lucky Drive.
• Turn right at stop sign onto Doherty Drive.
• Turn left onto Magnolia Ave. Drive 1/4 mile into downtown Larkspur.
• Turn right onto Ward St. (at the Left Bank Restaurant)
• Continue 1 1/2 blocks to 136 Ward Street (One house before cross street of Hawthorne)
• House is on right.

From the North Bay:
• Take 101 south to the Lucky Drive exit, exiting onto fifer Drive (exit is just after the Sir Francis Drake Blvd. exit) Continue on Fifer through traffic light.
• Turn left at the end of Fifer onto Lucky Drive.
• Turn right at stop sign onto Doherty Drive.
• Turn left onto Magnolia Ave. Drive 1/4 mile into downtown Larkspur.
• Turn right onto Ward St. (at the Left Bank Restaurant)
• Continue 1 1/2 blocks to 136 Ward Street (One house before cross street of Hawthorne)
• House is on right.

Camping at Big Basin Redwoods State Park
Friday-Saturday-Sunday
September 7-9, 2012
Boulder Creek, CA

Our annual campout is hosted by Susan Larkin. Keep an eye out for the e-vite, which will have more information and directions.

Enjoy two days of star gazing, campfires, hiking, tree hugging, and whatever else catches your fancy. Most of all come to enjoy good company in the great outdoors. You can either pitch a tent or stay in the comfortable tent cabins that come equipped with beds and a woodstove.

For more information or to request an e-vite, please contact Susan Larkin by email or phone, (408) 369-9518.

District 12 Fall Regional Meeting
October 5 - 7
Las Vegas, NV

The 2012 Fall Regional Conference Weekend will be held in Las Vegas, Nevada, October 5 - 7, hosted by Las Vegas Chapter 21. The daily program of activities will be posted when information becomes available. To volunteer at the conference or for any questions, please contact Valerie Burgett.

Conference Registration: LPA members will receive the information and registration packet by mail in early autumn. The packet will also be available online for download and mail-in.

Membership: If you are new to LPA or if you need to renew your membership, you may do so online or by submitting a membership form with your conference registration forms. Membership dues are $55 per household per year or $120 for 3 years; $35 per year for college/vocational students with proof of enrollment; $35 per year for international members; and $20 per year for seniors 65 years and older. If you cannot afford dues, you can apply for free membership due to financial hardship by contacting the LPA National Office.

Financial Assistance: Any paid LPA members that would like to attend a regional conference for the first time but cannot afford to, are encouraged to apply for financial assistance through the RAB-DAB fund. The RAB-DAB fund is a donation given by an anonymous family. To apply for consideration, please fill out the application and send it to Joe Foos.

The list of SFBAC activities and events for 2012 is available in the current issue of our newsletter. To read the current issue online, please see the NEWSLETTER section of this web site.

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