Reiki Masters (from left to right) Lynda Morin, Barbara Pastie, Susan Willis and Barbara Kurek presented a workshop on the basics of Reiki.         

   The Third Annual Family Support Conference, "Diversity of Supports", took place at the Crowne Plaza in Pittsfield on October 30, 2004.  This year's conference focused on a diversity of supports to help families, professionals and advocates support children and adults with disabilities.  The conference was sponsored by Berkshire County Arc, United Cerebral Palsy and Berkshire Family and Individual Resources, and supported by the Department of Mental Retardation.
   The conference offered three main tracks of workshops.  The first track , "Tools for Tomorrow", was presented by Chris

tine Lewis Shane, Ph.D.  This program was developed with the collaboration of self-advocates, families and advocacy organizations to give individuals with special needs the tools that they need to have a meaningful  future. 
  The second track, a highly interactive workshop dealing with the many facets of diversity and the way that it affects us, was centered around cultural diversity.   
  New to the program this year was the third track entitled "Health and Wellness".  This track featured ways to maintain and improve upon the health of not only individuals with dis

of experience in conducting workshops of this nature and uses a "balance wheel of life" that encompasses work, play, family and self. 
   The "Diversity of Supports" family support conference successfully explored a new area of human service by looking at the health and well-being of not only the individuals we support but also those who are supporting them.
   Each year's Family Support Conference brings with it new ideas and workshops.  This year this conference took a new turn; one that will benefit all of those involved in Family Support.     

Christine Lewis Shane, Ph.D. conducts the "Tools for Tomorrow" workshop to help parents, caregivers, and professionals develop plans for the futures of people with special needs.

tual awareness, stress relief, and overall good health and well being. 
   Presenters Lynda Morin, Barbara Pastie, Susan Willis and Barbara Kurek shared stories of how Reiki has changed their lives and the lives of those around them.  The presenters also performed Reiki on each of the participants at the end of the workshop.  All of the attendees

left the session feeling very relaxed and many described their feelings as being "balanced". 
   Reiki has been used to help people with special needs and has also proved to be beneficial in the lives of many who have experienced it.
   Christine Singer also offered a workshop on stress management in the Health and Wellness track.  Christine has many years