ZipperQ is a family-friendly event that includes a BBQ competition and public tasting. Attendees also experience live music and kids games.

Saturday, October 7, 3-7 pm Central

Claremore Expo Center
400 South Veterans Parkway
Claremore, OK 74017

Learn more: ifopa.org/zipperq_2023

The IFOPA offers a peer support group for English-speaking adults with FOP.

The group is an opportunity for members of the community to meet monthly for a one-hour session which will be moderated by counseling psychologist Al Freedman, dad of a son who lived for 26 years with another rare disease.

The group will provide opportunities for connection between community members by creating a safe space for socializing and sharing challenges related to life with FOP. The group moderator will offer suggestions and techniques to help navigate challenges that are brought up in group discussions.

Learn more and register to take part

In Part 2 of the Sexuality and FOP series, we'll provide an opportunity for adult individuals with FOP to ask questions and discuss topics related to sexuality in two separate discussion groups (one all females and the other all males).

Dr. Michelle Fynan, Licensed Mental Health Counselor with a PhD in Clinical Sexology, will be moderating the discussion and providing recommendations and insights to navigate issues brought to the discussion by participants.

There will be a females-only meeting at 1 pm, as well as a males-only meeting at 2 pm, to create a safe space to speak comfortably and ask anything. It will not be recorded.

Professional translation in Spanish will be provided for this event. If you speak another language, please register as soon as possible so that we can plan for your participation.

Info and registration

Just prior to the start of the 2023 FOP Family Gathering, the first-ever FOP siblings workshop will be led by Alicia Maples, sibling to one living and one deceased brother with special needs, speaker and presenter of the TEDx talk "Recognizing Glass Children." Alicia is passionate about the power of relating and connecting fellow siblings through her story and the conversation that ensues. 

Adult brothers and sisters of individuals with FOP are invited to spend the day connecting and learning over their shared sibling experience. Programming is appropriate for those who have a living or deceased sibling with FOP. This workshop will only be offered in person for English-speaking siblings who are over the age of 18.

More information and registration

Join us for the 2023 Family Gathering where we'll be celebrating the theme "Better Together."

After three years of virtual meetings, we look forward to focusing on all the ways our community is more resilient, empowered and knowledgeable because of the support we all share with one another. We continue to work towards our mission of serving the global FOP community and those who are unable to travel by offering a virtual participation option. We plan to provide professional translation support in Spanish and artificial intelligence translation in 21 languages for all virtual event attendees during general sessions and some community social events.

Stay up-to-date on the latest Family Gathering news: ifopa.org/2023_family_gathering