Audrey King's trip to Japan Diary

Sapporo Conference - DAY FOUR

Showing the audience the countries I have visited.

The audience listening.

My "Keynote" Speech
Today was my BIG day! JVUN invited me to speak at three Conferences in Japan and today was the first one. I had to speak for one whole hour in front of many people. My topic was "Traveling with a Ventilator". I talked about the countries and places I’ve seen and the adventures I have had. I told them it was exciting to see new places and meet new people, but it takes a lot of planning and organizing before you go. I showed lots of pictures.

• Can you spot Martha and George in the audience?
• How many people can you spot sleeping?

A guide dog in pyjamas!


The panel discussion with Adolf and Joan Headley (behind the table) with Kimiyo.

The Audience
So many people came to the conference, a few hundred I think. Even a dog came, wearing his pyjamas! Imagine that! Some people used wheelchairs, some were selling books, some were parents or partners and others were helping. That dog must have been pretty warm because it was a very hot day outside.


Preparing for the conference.

Preparation Meeting
The evening before the conference we went to a preparation meeting so we would know what to do at the conference. The other international speakers, Joan Headley and Dr. Tony Oppenheimer were at this meeting, as well as my long time friend, Adolf Ratzka. Joan is the director of The International Ventilator User’s Network in St. Louis, Missouri and Dr. Oppenheimer is a respiratory doctor from Los Angeles. Adolf is the founder and director of the Independent Living Institute in Stockholm, Sweden.

• Type the names of these organizations in your Internet search box and you will discover lots and lots of useful information.
• Can you find the cities where JVUN’s international speakers came from on an Internet map of the world?

Adolf, Katerina and me at the planning meeting. I am eating a salmon/rice sandwich.

Meeting Adolf Again
It was wonderful to meet Adolf again, as well as his wife and 9 year old daughter, Katerina, who was born in Costa Rica. Adolf uses a ventilator all the time, which is hidden under his chair, so the only part you can see is a little breathing tube which he puts in and out of his mouth when he needs a breath.


Having a lunch break.


My Japanese lunch box.


Wheelchair marathon race.

Lunch Time Excitement
During the lunch break, when we were resting and enjoying a beautiful Japanese box lunch called BENTO, we looked out the window and saw something unusual rushing by in the streets. It was a wheelchair marathon race!


The international conference speakers. Adolf, Kimiyo and me with Dr. Oppenheimer & Joan Headley behind


Autographing "There’s Lint in Your Bellybutton"

Speaking & Signing Autographs
After lunch, the international speakers were part of a "panel discussion". We had to talk about what it is like for people with disabilities in our own countries answer audience questions for two hours. Then I autographed copies of my book, "There’s Lint in Your Bellybutton", which were being sold at the conference. Finally, after a very long day, it was time to go back to the Nanbyo Centre and get ready for a great big CELEBRATION PARTY. We could hardly wait!

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