We Need to Talk……………
This week I am working in New York City to gear up for the Flawless Foundation’s Annual Perfection Party on April 9th. One of the highlights of the trip was a lunch meeting with Karenna Gore Schiff. Karenna is a strong ally to Flawless’ mission to eradicate the stigma that surrounds mental health and to bring compassionate healing to the millions of American children living with brain differences.
Karenna and I were incredibly busy this week so our meeting was short but definitely not short on inspiration. Though we hadn’t seen each other in almost seven years, we instantly began talking about the latest in mental health, and how we all need to take a stand to make this the “cause of the decade.” It was so inspiring to hear more about Tipper Gore’s(Karenna’s Mom) strong voice and advocacy for mental health. It was a wonderful conversation-and one that needs to happen more often around lunch and dinner tables across the country.
That is why I am thrilled that Karenna will be one of the presenters of our awards on April 9th-an event that is so much more than an opportunity to raise funds for our beloved Flawless Foundation. Our panel discussion, “The Best Kind of Different,” will provide us all with the opportunity to participate in the type of groundbreaking conversation that Karenna and I were engaged in earlier this week.
Our Incredible Panelists include:
J. Stuart Ablon PhD, Director of Think:Kids at Massachusetts General Hospital/Harvard Medical School
Harold S. Koplewicz MD, One of the nation’s leading child and adolescent psychiatrists, author and founding President of the Child Mind Institute
Shonda Schilling, Author of the New York Times Best Seller, The Best Kind of Different: Our Family’s Journey with Asperger’s Syndrome, and wife of retired Major League Baseball pitcher, Curt Schilling
Shari and Garen Staglin, Founders of the International Mental Health Research Organization, and cofounders of both The Next Frontier of the Brain campaign with Congressman Patrick Kennedy, and BringChange2Mind with Glenn Close and others
Lisa Bloom, Civil and children’s rights attorney, television host and author of the upcoming book, Think: Straight Talk for Women to Stay Smart in a Dumbed-Down World, will moderate our honorees through a panel discussion titled “The Best Kind of Different”
This is an unprecedented gathering of extraordinary leaders in mental health. These conversations are crucial to putting a new face of health, healing, and hope to our Flawless children!
When: Saturday, April 9th, 2011 (4:30 – 7:30 pm)
Where: Otto Khan and James Burden Mansions (1-7 East 91st Street, New York City)
Cost: $250 (Includes panel discussion and champagne reception catered by Chef David Burke
With Gratitude,
Janine Francolini
Founder/Board Chair
Flawless Foundation
