The Regional Conference was held in Sterling, VA and hosted by the Ostomy Support Group of Northern Virginia with Mary Washington Healthcare and the Ostomy Connections Support Group of Fredericksburg, VA.

Things got rolling at 3 p.m. on May 4 and didn’t stop until noon on May 6.  This was my second time at this conference and I always learn new things, and come home with new ideas to share with the Frederick Area Ostomy Support Group.  I renewed acquaintances from the past and met new ostomates, from Canada to South Carolina; even spoke with the Georgetown University Hospital Stoma Clinic WCON, Anne McCardle, who helped me with my ostomy and related medical issues – it was a pleasure to speak with her again; as I’m sure many of you have the same feeling for your favorite WCON!

The Keynote Speaker was Collin Jarvis, nationally ranked middle and long distance runner until his surgery in 2013; he still loves running and has developed a passion for helping others with ostomies.

If you read this, and haven’t attended an ostomy conference, you should think about the next one.  Learn lots and have lots of fun as well!

“You’re a survivor, it’s written all over your body.”