A unifying feeling for many people after ostomy
surgery is that they can again lead a full and productive life. The Great
Comebacks® Program recognizes these inspirational individuals,
both in their personal lives and in their contributions to their communities.
The Great Comebacks® awards program recognized our Central region recipients on October 1st at the Wound Ostomy and Continence Nurses (WOCN) Society Mideast Conference in Dayton, OH.
The Great Comebacks community honored these inspirational individuals from the Central region at the special evening event:
The recipients spoke of their commitment as role models to others struggling with intestinal diseases – Laurel shared her passion for raising funds for her local Camp Oasis through her own charity, Project CURE (Communication, Understanding, Respect and Education); Nadia, her desire to support young ostomates through YouTube™ videos offering lifestyle and surgery tips; and Tony, his dedication to giving back by volunteering at Youth Rally.
As Tony shared with the audience, “I want to speak to the world about how hard things can be for people with an ostomy, but I also want to educate on how to overcome those battles and be personally successful in life. I could have spent all my life feeling sorry for myself because of my condition, but I didn’t. The good Lord gave me lemons and I made lemonade. Never once since my ostomy surgery have I said, ‘No I can’t’. I have lived life by taking it by the horns and it’s in my heart and soul to help others.”
Members of Congress, including Representative Jerry Moran (Kansas) and Senators Al Franken (Wisconsin), Sam Brownback (Kansas), Russ Feingold (Wisconsin), Amy Klobuchar (Minnesota), Herb Kohl (Wisconsin) and Pat Roberts (Kansas), also offered their congratulations to our recipients with letters of commendation.
Rolf (right) got to know the Central region recipients
Tony Bell, Nadia Fuad Deane and Laurel Schwartz (left to right)
outside the banquet hall prior to the awards ceremony.
Tony accepted the Great Comebacks® award from Rolf and gave a moving speech that included
anecdotes and inspirational lessons learned from his competitive bull riding days.
An enthusiastic and excited Laurel hugged Rolf as she accepted her award.
Nadia shared how much being an Ina Brudnick recipient means to her.
About the Great Comebacks® Program
Now in its third decade, the Great Comebacks® Program raises awareness of quality of life issues for people with Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis, colorectal cancer and other disorders than can lead to ostomy surgery. The program also provides educational materials and support for individuals facing the emotional as well as physical challenges of these debilitating diseases and transitioning to life after surgery. For more information, please visit www.GreatComebacks.com.
About ConvaTec
ConvaTec is a leading developer and marketer of innovative medical technologies that have helped improve the lives of millions of people worldwide. With four key business divisions – Ostomy Care, Wound Therapeutics, Continence and Critical Care, and Infusion Devices – ConvaTec products support health care professionals from the hospital to the community health setting. From its headquarters in Skillman, New Jersey, the company oversees more than 8,000 employees in over 90 countries serving consumers and their health care professionals on six continents. For more information, please visit www.ConvaTec.com.
About the Wound, Ostomy and Continence Nurses (WOCN) Society
The WOCN Society is a professional nursing society that promotes educational, clinical and research opportunities to advance the practice and guide the delivery of expert health care to individuals with wounds, ostomies and incontinence. Membership includes more 4,200 healthcare professionals who are experts in the care of patients with wound, ostomy and incontinence. For more information, please visit www.WOCN.org.
About Youth Rally
For over 30 years the Youth Rally has been a place for adolescents with an ostomy or a continent diversion, or who are preparing for surgery, to come together and meet other young people who deal with similar life experiences. The annual summer camp operated by the Youth Rally Committee (YRC) strives to provide a positive support network that highlights independence and individuality as tools youths can use to regain confidence and a sense of belonging. For more information about the Youth Rally and this year's camp, please visit www.Rally4Youth.org.
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