On March 28, at our 31st "World Is Ours" Annual Conference, we are thrilled to welcome Tierney and Naia Fairchild.
In 2002,Tierney, her husband Greg and their daughter Naia became well known in our community as the subjects of Mitchell Zuckoff's book "Choosing Naia: A Family's Journey," which was followed by an hour-long Dateline NBC special: "Matters of the Heart."
At the Awards Luncheon of our conference, the mother-daughter duo will present a keynote speech to a crowd of hundreds in the Grand Ballroom of the DCU Center in Worcester. Tierney's talk, titled "Challenging Naia: Toward a Vibrant Future", is modeled on her 2012 address at the National Down Syndrome Congress' annual convention. Then, Naia, 16, will offer her own address, explaining her life, goals and dreams. Later in the day, the Fairchilds will offer a full 90-minute session, titled "Challenging Naia: Tools for Embracing a Full & Resilient Life", in which they will talk about practical lessons that have helped Naia become a confident learner and engaging family member and friend, enriching the lives of those around her. They will discuss the constellation of professional and personal resources that have made a difference for their family, from Naia's first months of life to her first years of high school.
Tierney and Naia have a moving, inspiring story to tell that is sure to resonate with our members. Read more about their journey below.
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