Misty Blue Foster

2009 Ina Brudnick Award Recipient, West Region

Coping with two ostomies would be difficult for any child. Misty Blue Foster had added health challenges from spina bifida and cloacal exstrophy, a birth defect in which inner-abdominal structures are exposed. She managed these conditions with grace and maturity all while growing up in foster care, and today she’s determined to support others through their struggles.

Misty Blue felt isolated and physically and emotionally neglected in foster care. At age 16, she found the hope and encouragement she was craving at United Ostomy Associations of America and Bladder Exstrophy support meetings.

On her 18^th birthday, she “aged out” of foster care and was on her own. Over the next few years, she worked at nursing homes and hospitals while earning a certified nursing assistant license. Not only was Misty Blue the first person in her family to go to college, she graduated with academic honors! She is currently working towards her Bachelor of Science degree in nursing at the College of San Mateo.

As a licensed vocational nurse, Misty Blue connects deeply with her patients, sharing her experience with those facing their own battles – wounded veterans, young people like herself. She also works with social workers to develop innovative outreach programs targeted to local foster care and at-risk youth.

Today, Misty Blue, 24, lives in San Mateo, CA, with her husband Jerome, and enjoys rollerblading, yoga and practicing Capoeira – a Brazilian martial art. “You can’t always control what you are given in life, but you can control what you do with it,” says Misty Blue. “Ostomy surgery can give you a second chance – make it count!”