IFOPA Resource Referral Form for the Overcoming Obstacles Database

Complete a FOP Resource Information Form

Hi, Everyone:

In the hopes of making life with FOP a little easier, the IFOPA is planning an FOP Resource Center for Overcoming Obstacles at the Fourth International Symposium on FOP in August of 2007. This room will contain a large number of adaptive tools and equipment that can be safely tried by those with FOP, as well as information on many others, vendors, therapists, and much more. Some of the items are currently being used within the FOP community; others were chosen because they appear to aid independent living and help meet the challenges of life with FOP. Some are homemade tools, and some are store bought. All of these items and more will be in the soon-to-be updated Overcoming Obstacles Database that can be accessed on the IFOPA web site. This FOP-specific wealth of information will eventually be presented to everyone as a printed catalogue, as well.

To make the Symposium Resource Center/catalogue/database the best it can be, we need to collect the experiences, wisdom, adaptations, ideas, tools and other resources of the FOP community. The FOP community is a very inventive and adaptive group. It seems like nothing is impossible, at least not for long!  Please take this opportunity to help the entire community by sharing your ingenuity and telling us about what you use, bought, and/or have created for yourselves. There is no reason why each person should “reinvent the wheel,” as the saying goes, nor spend money or energy repeating something that others have tried without success.

Please complete a FOP Resource Information Form about each idea, tool, or resource you have found to make your day a little easier, safer, more functional, and less painful, despite FOP. It may be an unusual item that helps you do a common activity or a common item used in an unusual way. Whatever it is, we want to hear about it so that everyone can benefit from your experience. Please include even sources of helpful relevant information, such as organizations, web sites and catalogues. Extra forms can be printed from the web site or submitted electronically via the IFOPA website.

As you all know, “necessity is the mother of invention.” Please share your discoveries so that others might adopt them too! I thank you in advance for your help.

With admiration and gratitude,

Jeri Licht
FOP Mom of Daniel, 12 (diagnosed at age 3)
E-mail: jpdlicht@aol.com
Telephone: 914-725-2196
Fax: 914-725-7296
Mailing address:
27 Malvern Lane
Scarsdale, NY 10583