2007 Ina Brudnick Award Recipient East Region 
“You can live a normal life after a colostomy surgery. Life is what you
make it to be,” says Rodney.
Born with Hirschsprung's disease, Rodney Hedgepeth had
his colon removed when he was just 17 months old. Living
with an ostomy, however, has not stopped Rodney from succeeding
in school, participating in physical activities or helping
others.
As a child, Rodney played little league baseball and when he entered high school,
joined the marching band. He became section leader for clarinet and eventually
captain of the band. During his senior year, Rodney was a featured soloist in not
one but two instruments: the clarinet and alto saxophone.
Rodney, who was also diagnosed with Crohn's disease three
years ago, impressed nurses so much during his hospital
visits that they asked him to help encourage other kids
with an ostomy.
Today, 18 year old Rodney, from Sharpsburg, NC, is a freshman at East Carolina University in
Greenville, NC and continues to answer questions and alleviate feelings of concern from kids with an
ostomy. He reassures them that, “You can live a normal life after a colostomy surgery. Life
is what you make it to be.” After graduation, Rodney plans on attending medical school and
wants to become a medical researcher.
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