By Bonnie Lang The first AAKP Convention I attended was in 1997 in Ft. Lauderdale, Fl. A nephrologist that I was working for at the time suggested I go to this Convention and even offered to pay part of my way to it. Even though I'd been part of the renal community for about 15 years as the mother of a son with ESRD, I'd never heard of the American Association of Kidney Patients. It was pretty scary going off to the convention of an organization I'd never heard of, in a state far from Wisconsin that I'd never been to. I arrived at the Bahia Mar (hotel) and timidly went to the check-in desk, said who I was and that I was with the American Association of Kidney Patients. There was a group of about six people standing nearby who heard this conversation and like bees to the honey suckle bush, they gathered around me, welcomed me and said they were about to go on a Harbor Tour and invited me to go with them. They even offered to wait until I got settled into my room. From that moment on, I didn't feel like a stranger any longer. As the speakers spoke, as the special events took place and as I got to know more and more people, I determined in my heart and mind that Wisconsin needed to have an AAKP Chapter and soon. The Wisconsin Badger Chapter was granted its charter at the 1998 Convention. I just love going to these Conventions year after year! I've only missed one since 1997 and hope I don't need to miss anymore. I often tell people that the AAKP Convention is more like a family reunion with some excellent learning opportunities, then what one normally thinks of as a "convention." I never cease to learn new and wonderful things that are taking place within the renal community. I've met some wonderful friends that I keep in touch with throughout the year and each year I look forward to meeting new friends. My friends and coworkers here at home are always eager to hear my "Convention stories" and see pictures when I get home. I firmly believe that every ESRD patient, family member, friend and renal healthcare professional should be mandated to attend an AAKP Convention. Believe me, your life, will never be the same. I'm looking forward to seeing you in Orlando this year. Bonnie Lang is the president of AAKP's Wisconsin Badger Chapter. She lives in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. This article originally appeared in the July 2002 issue of aakpRENALIFE, Vol. 18, No. 1.
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