Hi Everyone, I wanted to post about the UOAA conference that was held earlier this month. My husband and I had the opportunity to attend, and it was a wonderful time! The conference was a combination of educational, networking, and fun. I heard that there were about 400 plus attendees the last time I inquired. There may have been more. Location, location, location... the Hyatt hotel where the conference was held and where we stayed was literally in front of the Arch. The accommodations were great. Wow, the St. Louis Arch was massive. Yes, I took the tour of the Arch, went up the elevator, and had a beautiful view of the city.
The various topics presented during the conference ranged from being a 1st timer to dating with an ostomy and everything in between. They also had a stoma clinic for those who had questions. Everyone seemed to be enjoying themselves, hanging out, partying, and touring the city. Talk about the weather... it was beautiful and very warm. In the evenings, many people got together and planned evening events. The conference committee also had some events planned too, including a social with dancing, a party in the President's lounge, and a wrap "till we meet again" get-together. I believe the next conference is a regional one being held in Dulles, VA, at the end of April 2016. The 2017 national conference will be in Irvine, California. If you have a moment, please take a look at the UOAA website. They will post photos of the event. This was the second conference that I attended and am looking forward to the next one. Take care and have a nice weekend. LH
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Hi Mike and all. I am not sure how panoramic my perspective really is as my peripheral vision shrinks with each passing year. I can tell you that when I came to this website six years ago I was truly ;impressed by the positive attitudes of so many members, especially the younger folks who refused to let their ostomies define who they were or what they would become. I also came to appreciate that having an ostomy is not the same thing as having a disease. Pardon ;my pun now, but ostomies and cancer don't belong in the same bag. One is a solution, the other is a problem. Celebrating National Ostomy Day ;is also well outside my comfort zone. That's like celebrating National Wheel Chair Day. Come on!
I think there is a ;need for improved ;public awareness of ostomies, but I am not sure how that's best done. There ;remains ;some social stigma attached to our situation, and it's acutely felt among our young. We need to get out of the dark ages on this issue, but not by going 'in your face' to everyone else. I think Bill and NDY are 'spot-on' when it comes to telegraphing the right message to friends and family. People will know how to react when they ;see ;how we accept the cards we were dealt. I also appreciate the contribution some people here are making to this effort through their publications.
On a personal note, my son has been suffering from ulcerative colitis for years just like I did. I am very concerned because people with UC are at a higher risk for colon cancer. Years ago my GI told me to get annual colonoscopies to be on the safe side. I am glad I did because he eventually found pre-cancerous cells which led to several surgeries and my becoming an ostomate. Since then I have always ;conveyed a positive attitude to ;my son about wearing a bag because it has kept me alive to enjoy many more years with my loved ones. I think he got the message. We both go to the same gastroenterologist in NYC and get scoped on the same day. Father and Son moments!
Someone once wrote that our children are the letters we write to the future.
PB