Keynote Speaker:

Disability Resource Conference Disability Resource

Larry Patton Saturday, October 3rd, 2009
Conference
Larry Patton, born with cerebral palsy, travels across the
United States sharing and encouraging others to over-
come obstacles through his speaking ministry Hurdling
Handicaps. Rather than allow his disability to control him,
Larry has faced life with a lot of courage and motivation.
Morning Presented by:
Born in Madison, Indiana, in 1956, Larry was raised in 9.00 Registration
Berkley, Michigan. As a teenager he earned the “God
and Country” award in the Boy Scouts of America. He
graduated from Wayne State University where he 9.30 Keynote Speaker: Larry Patton
received a B.S. in Computer Science. Larry began his
career as a Systems Engineer in the Marketing Division
of IBM for 16 years. Currently, in addition to traveling 10.15 Break w/ light refreshments
the country sharing his story, Larry is the Director of the
Men’s Ministry at Faith Lutheran Church in Troy, Michi- Exhibit Hall open
gan. He enjoys all sports, both as a spectator and active Larry Patton book signing
participant. His interests include skiing and golf.

Larry is a member of the National Speakers Associa-

tion. Hurdling Handicaps is a Ministry Affiliate of Joni 11.00 Session 1
and Friends and a member of the Christian Council on
Persons with Disabilities. Afternoon
Larry currently lives in Troy, Michigan, his wife, Jennifer,
son, Will, and daughter, Anna. 12.00 Lunch (at additional cost of $5)
Exhibit Hall open
Visit Larry's website at www.hurdlinghandicaps.org

Larry has published 1.00 Session 2

two books:

“If He Can Do It, I

Can Do It”
2.00 Exhibit Hall open

“More Than An
Average Guy: The 2.30 Conference concludes
Larry Patton Story.”
Exhibit Hall closes

October 3rd, 2009

9.00am - 2.30pm

Valley Church
4343 Fuller Road
West Des Moines
 About the
Special Needs Ministry Session 1
Network of Des Moines 11.00am—12.00pm
Our Purpose Volunteer Track
Beyond Sunday Morning:
Ministering Holistically to
We seek to enrich the lives of individuals with special needs
and their families by introducing them to Christ and support- Families with Disabilities
ing them through a community network of local churches.
Disability doesn’t happen just
to an individual; it happens to a
Our Vision whole family. This workshop will
consider how the church can
minister to the whole family in a
holistic manner with the goal of
We will accomplish this vision through networking to provide
making them an indispensable
care, support, encouragement, education, and opportunities
for spiritual growth for individuals with special needs and part of the Body of Christ.
their families.
Sessions 1 & 2 presented by
Dawn Clark
Guiding Principles
► We aim to become a network of churches that minister
TO and ALONGSIDE people with differing abilities out of
Family Track
a deep understanding of our common need for God’s love
and grace. Married while Parenting Children
with Special Needs
► The Ministry Network provides an opportunity for people
to put their faith and love into action, bringing people Having a child with a disability
together to embrace individuals with special needs and the places great strain on a marriage
families that support them, assuring that everyone is an ac- relationship. Some studies sug-
tive part of the church and community. gest that the divorce rate among
these couples rises to around
85%. This session is intended to
present a beginning look at the
insights, strategies and supports
The Network includes the following churches: that are required for couples
to have a more connected and
healthy relationship in the midst
of a very unique and often very
Des Moines 1st Assembly of God challenging set of circumstances.
First Federated Church Dr. Daniel Earle, licensed
Lutheran Church of Hope clinical psychologist, has been
in private practice in West Des
Meredith Reformed Church Moines for 12 years and special-
izes in marriage counseling. He
Valley Church offers a unique perspective to
this class because one of his
four children has autism.
Session 2
1.00pm—2.00pm
Teaching Spiritual Truths to
Concrete Thinkers
Different methods of teaching
verses, songs and Bible stories
will be presented in ways that
help people with developmental
disabilities learn.
Dawn Clark has been the
director of Disability Ministry at
College Church in Wheaton, IL
since 2002. The ministry serves
approximately 100 families and
offers a variety of programs for
its participants.
Transition from School Age
to Adult Services
Transition from school to adult
services can be overwhelming.
This session will present the first
steps in planning for this transi-
tion in the areas of living,
employment, and
post-secondary learning. We
will also consider other aspects,
such as self-advocacy and trans-
fer of rights.
Presented by a panel of experts
from Des Moines in the areas
of case management, health
services, and vocation.
Registration
Early Registration deadline: September 25
Please mail to:
Valley Church, Attn: Gail Oberkircher
4343 Fuller Road
West Des Moines, IA 50265
Name: ______________________________________
Address: ____________________________________
____________________________________
Phone: _____________________________________
E-mail: _____________________________________
□ Sign language interpreter needed
Please circle Family or Volunteer track:
Family
Volunteer
Volunteers, please list your church affiliation:
_______________________________________
Registration fees:
Postmarked by September 25th: $10
Number of registrants: ____x $10 = ____
After September 25th: $15
Number of registrants: ____x $15 = ____
Pre-ordered box lunch: $5
Number of lunches: ____x $5 = ____
TOTAL AMOUNT INCLUDED: ____
Please make checks payable to Valley Church
A limited number of scholarships are available – please
contact Gail Oberkircher at 515-226-9973 for more
information
Sorry, childcare will NOT be offered.