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Reflections on the 2005 Conference
A few comments from our conference attendees
KAAN reflections
On the Korean American Adoptee Adoptive Family Network 2005 conference
I just wanted to send my heartfelt thanks for the
conference. We all had a tremendous time and felt it was such a
great resource to know about as our kids get older. It was
especially helpful to hear from the older adoptees, which is a
group we haven't had interaction with before this. So, thanks for
all the hard work. Our kids had a great day in the elementary
group on Saturday. We are so grateful that we were able to
attend.
Sincerely, Karen and John Fischer.
This was the first time I had attended a conference like this.
This whole-heartedly was a wonderful personal experience for me. Thank you
all so much, for doing such a great job! Sara if you want to throw some
dates at me, you know I am always hungry. I would really love to have a
group picture of us all as well!
Sincerely,
John P. Sicklesteel
UBS Financial Services Inc.
This years conference was excellent. The topics of the sessions really were opening, thoughtful, and
educational. I know that all learned a little something from the seminars, especially the adoptive parents,
which always seems to be the majority. I did love the fact that the commardire (spelling it wrong) among the
adult adoptees was so genuine and emotional. It seems like I meet new adoptees that I connect with immediately.
Must be that adoptee thing lol. Though the location was probably the hardest part, but we all made do. Those
with cars drove people around and we had a night out on sat night. Though some of us stayed at the hotel and
conversated.
Sara Campbell
Thanks belong to Jen Hilzinger, Sook Wilkinson, Christian Oh,
Kris Freeark, Dominic Pangborn, Tack-Yong Kim, and all the other
local folks who did so much heavy lifting to make the Detroit KAAN
conference as wonderful as it was. Our contribution was merely a
tiny drop in a huge bucket. My deepest appreciation to all the
organizers, workers, and presenters...the conference was a
veritable banquet of food for thought, and I know that I will be
chewing for a long time!
Tom Jankowski
Thank yous to Jen Hilzinger for all of her hard work in putting together a great KAAN conference! Thanks for letting
my son, Dale, and I register at the last minute. We both had a great time.
I had the pleasure of attending the last session on Sunday with Dr. Freeark. It is unfortunate that this
session had to be held so late and could not be more well attended because Dr. Freeark and her volunteers
were amazing. I truly appreciate the time and effort they all gave to this project. Although my kids are
now too old to have participated, they would have loved to take part in a project like this. I believe seeds
have been sown in the children that did participate and KAAN will benefit for many more years to come!
Nancy Gaarenstrom
I want you to know how much I enjoyed the KAAN conference. Jen Hilzinger, Chris Winston and all the other
volunteers did an outstanding job. There was definitely something for everyone. We appreciated being able
to be a small part in it. Best wishes.
Nancy Fox
This year the younger adoptive parents involvement really added a lot to the conference for me. Their
interest and desire to learn from the older adoptees is inspiring and hopeful for a brighter future for
everyone involved in adoption- a goal of KAAN. The booths were great- i only got to 3 sessions because I
ended up talking and looking at all thestuff in between sessions.
An ending ceremony would be great. I didnt get to say goodbye to everyone- i think an closing ceremony may even
be more important than an opening one- if you had to choose! Next year in Korea, definitely have a closing
ceremony....Koreans are big on those.
The staff from AIAA was great. Rosemary and Barb ? They were so great and informative. Thanks Ross for
the raffel stuff. She went overboard! I had a great time talking with the teens this year. I love getting
different perspectives on adoption from so many angles.
Thanks to everyone so much. I had a great time.
Heisun Ko
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