Whoa, just flew in from Orlando and, wow, my arms are tired!
A few photos from the con. Trying to find Mr. Riva's photo and, of course, Susan T.'s toast.
When you enter the exhibit hall, Hollister and Coloplast are the first you see.
Hollister sponsors MAO - I failed to ask them about MAO.
Night Owl, Kaligirl, Warrior - Dat's right, we made it.
"Mad Hatters ball." Dress up and act like "what bag?"
One for Beachboy.
Sunset
Duckies playing follow the leader on the beach at the hotel.
MeetAnOstoMate is a remarkable community of 41,430 members.
“I mostly read and still feel like I belong.”
“Doctors took notes; they want others to find this website.”
“From midnight blowouts to big wins, there’s always a hand to hold.”
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
Thanks for sharing, warrior; it looks like a good time was had by all. 🥳
Hope you don't mind, but I rotated your people pic (as I'm on a PC and would have had to do a handstand to see your lovely faces)! 🤸🏻♀️😊
Hope you all had a great time; it was just too far to go. Great photos.
IGGIE
Thanks, Warrior! Great photos. It looks like it was a beautiful place and a fun time. Just curious, how many attendees do you think there were?
Terry
Thanks. I will find out the overall attendance.
As for MAO members, 5.
If there were others, I was not informed. But 3 others did mention they were attending.
Never showed.
Later, I found out medical issues were the reason. Sadly.
More photos coming with a mystery chick magnet fella.
Stay tuned..🤭