Great Comebacks
Some of you may have not heard, but I was nominated as a south region award recipient for a program called “Great Comebacks” It is about highlighting stories of those whom have “comeback” from serious ostomy/intestinal surgery. ( about the program - http://www.greatcomebacks.com/us/news/2008_national_awards.shtml) . In November, Steve, Anna and I traveled to San Antonio, TX where I was awarded the southern recipient award at a dinner and it was a great week! Then this past week we all traveled to D.C. with the other 3 regional award winners, to a formal awards dinner where a national winner was announced. I was in complete shock when my story was up on a TV screen and Rolf (the spokesman for the program) was telling everyone my background. It was a surreal experience that Steve and I will not easily forget! Needless to say, Anna was bouncing around and as I was about to get up to give a speech, she decided to dance around the room yelling “that’s my mommy!” and “I’m on TV” The whole room laughed and my speech was forgotten (Thankfully!!) I said some words that I don’t even remember and continued to laugh at my little miracle running around! It was a fantastic night!
It’s been exciting to be a part of a program that helps others by inspiring them to continue living a healthy, fulfilled life after such traumatic surgery I feel blessed to be a part of such an amazing group of people. Before the dinner, we went in teams on the Hill where we met with Senators and representatives to help spread awareness of such diseases as Crohn’s, Colitis, colon Cancer. We told our personal stories in an effort to put a face with ostomy surgery, explaining how it can not only save lives, but give you a better quality of life after such illnesses. Given that the ostomy population is only about 700,000 (small compared to those groups of heart disease, cancer etc) health legislators easily forget or are simply unaware of the medical supplies necessary to live with an ostomy. Therefore for a large portion of ostomates supplies are not covered. (costing about $500/month) Personally, I am lucky enough to have my supplies covered but there are so many that are not like me. It was great be a part of this group in trying to make a difference!
The following is a press release from the night below.
http://www.cnbc.com/id/29397323/
FYI – Tony Snow won this award for his battle with Colon Cancer a few years back. Given his death 7 months ago, he was honored at the event and a new public service great comebacks award was created in his name. An army pilot who is currently serving in Iraq, received that award. His story is AMAZING!!!!
So I have soon gone from wanting to hide my surgery to becoming as open as one can be. And you know what – it feels great! This program will also be working with me and OstomySecrets! We hope to make sure everyone knows what is available to them after surgery. Hopefully this is just the beginning of my venture!
