2006 Culture Club Event
The Culture Club fall retreat for the Non-Cepacia adult group was held at the Best Western Dockside Hotel in Mackinaw City, Michigan on September 15th thru 17th, 2006. This retreat was very successful in that several new CF individuals were in attendance, and most if not all, will want to return to the future CF retreats because of the wonderful support from each other.
First time to this MPDCI Culture Club retreat: Lisa (CF) and Evan Braedon, Lisa Reuss (CF) & mother Kathie Willhit, Brandon (CF Transplant) & brother Aaron Laethem, Maggie Marcus (CF)& cousin Megan, and Lionel Frady (CF) & caregiver Ted Rapson. Feedback provided said they would all be returning to next years retreat because of the CF social support they received, the fun of being on a mini-vacation with other Cystic Fibrosis patients and feeling “normal” around other people with similar health conditions.
The group started out with a quick review of the infection control guidelines of washing hands with purell after coughing, being in a well ventilated areas throughout he retreat, and the standard three-foot minimum rule between other Cystics to prevent any cross-contamination that may occur
Then it was off to dinner at 6:30 where it was a buffet style selection of salads, appetizers, main courses and my favorite selection of deserts. Later that evening we met for one last time in the conference room with open discussion since the culture club was unable to make arrangements for a CF doctor to be present and discuss topics that are relevant to the aging adult Cystic population. One discussion that stood out is when a Cystic is not receiving the healthcare he/she feels should be receiving during a hospital stay to contact the ?
The next morning, we met at the Mackinaw City Shepler’s Ferry Dock to jump on board for the 15-minute boat ride to the island. Once on the island, we were able to secure a horse drawn carriage ride around the scenic route of the island where we visited the governor’s summer mansion, historic forts, and gift shops. It was actually pretty nice weather on the island for most of the day around 69 degree to 72 degrees. After the tour and lunch ended, everyone was free to either stay on the island until the last boat left at 6:00 pm or depart early for whatever reason.
This free time allowed persons with CF therapeutic needs to be met without disrupting the sequence of events planned. Dinner on Saturday evening was @ 7:00 pm at an Italian serving restaurant where we stayed later than expected and cancelled our last meeting due to the time constraints and preparations that might have been needed for nightly aerosol nebulizer or vest percussion therapies.
Check out was at 11:00 am and within a few minutes; we were all on the road back to our homes after having one last photo opportunity to remember the weekend.
For those who would like to attend future adult retreats, be sure to register with the MPDCI@www.MPDCI.org.