The United Colon Vlog

Each month on the third Tuesday, my ostomy support group holds their meetings. In April, there was a special adjustment to our monthly meeting, and it was held Wednesday, April 21st at Lambeau Field in Green Bay. This special meeting featured speakers and was sponsored by ConvaTec and many reps from the ConvaTtec company were in attendance.

The special guests for the evening were Cricket Henley of Ostomy Secrets and Rolf Benirschke of Great Comebacks. It was a very inspiring evening as both Rolf and Cricket told their stories of how Crohn’s and ulcerative colitis nearly destroyed their lives and their careers, but after ostomy surgery, they came back to achieve amazing things. Rolf played for the San Diego Chargers football team when he became ill. If any of you are interested in hearing his story, it is worth taking the time to read his books and read his story HERE. Cricket is now the Director of Communications at Ostomy Secrets. Please take the time to read her story HERE.

Both Cricket and Rolf show that no matter how devastating this illness can be, taking a horrible situation and turning it around into something positive is truly possible. Their lively spirits and their willingness to share the most intimate details of their journey using humor made the evening very special. I think that many times during their speech, I shook my head because it so related to my own journey. It was a night of food, fun, and inspiration.

I know that I’m only 19 years old, and most of my ostomates in my support group are decades older and wiser, but they always make me feel like I’m part of their family. I love them, and I love being part of their community. It was a fun filled night. One that I will remember forever.

“This chasm, that has been naught to me,
To that fair-haired youth may a pitfall be.
He, too, must cross in the twilight dim;
Good friend, I am building the bridge for him.” ~Will Allen Dromgoole

~Nadia

Below, I have shared a few photos of Cricket and I, and also Rolf and I, and some of my parents.

Rolf and Nadia

Cricket and Nadia

Me and my Daddy

Me and my Mama