Attendance Record Officially Broken at FIRST National Conference - San Diego (473)!

"You are not going to be the best person you can be until you get out of your own way. Love who you are and embrace the impact you can make on the lives of others." - Chad Porter, Keynote speaker, FIRST National Conference 2016

From the warm moments of reconnecting at the welcome gathering on Thursday evening,  to the inspired words of Chad Porter and Kaelin Ball, to the tip sharing, teen panel, dancing like there’s no tomorrow, and the rare look into the minds of the world’s leading ichthyosis investigators, the FIRST 2016 National Conference was as remarkable, meaningful and memorable as ever. FIRST staff is still reeling from the excitement and, as always, we are honored and grateful to be a part of this BIG, loving, compassionate, and committed family. Thank you for being a part of it, too. Here's what some of the attendees had to say...

“They say in life that we all are a part of something. I couldn't think of a better something to be a part of. I just wanted to let you and FIRST know how moving this weekend was for me. It gives me the strength I need to continue to give Mason the care and support he needs from me. It has been a life-changing eye opener! Thank you for organizing something so amazing!! My heart feels whole!” -Jamie Logan

“We had the BEST time ever at the conference! I wanted to say thank you to you and FIRST from the bottom of my heart for giving me and my son the opportunity to attend the conference for the first time. We won’t miss another one going forward. I was very excited, but to see the smile on my son’s face, which didn’t come off the entire time; that was priceless!”  -Angela Vance

“I just wanted to thank you so much for the amazing job you did in planning, organizing and pulling off yet another super successful National Conference! We were blown away by all you accomplished, as there were so many parts and subparts that you had to arrange to make it all happen. Our family always leaves feeling so inspired and connected, yet we always feel this void, as we feel like we leave a part of hearts the minute we leave. It's so hard to explain the deep emotional ties we have to all of you at FIRST. There is something truly divine that we experience while we are there, and that is largely because of all you do to make the conference so special.” - Suzanne Phelps

“We were really impressed by what you all put together - obviously a lot of work! And it was so helpful to each of us in so many ways! I'm delighted our kids made friends and are communicating with them. It was great to reconnect with families we've met at the regional meetings. All the medical research news was fascinating and encouraging. The doctors you bring to the organization are truly outstanding. And I think I might cry every time I hear Fight Song from now on - Portia's performance was truly amazing! Thanks for all you do and we look forward to the next one!” -Jennifer Bartlett