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I don't have much to report on this month unfortunately, but at least the snow is gone and spring is clearly here!
I get asked all the time why we continue to have zoom meetings when only a few people join them: almost every month a new Ostomate joins us, either fresh from surgery or a few months post op. It's these members why I continue to hold the zoom meetings. If this new Ostomate has questions or apprehensions about living with an ostomy, and we can help them through this period of their lives, then we are doing what Ostomy Toronto should be doing. We are a support group for Ostomates in Toronto and as long as new people continue to join us I will continue to hold the meetings.
A reminder about Ostomy Toronto's Day Camp Program: if you know any kids under the age of 18 with any type of ostomy, Ostomy Toronto will pay up to $1000 for any day camp they choose. I'm really hoping people will take advantage of this great opportunity (and first of its kind!).
I will try to get Coloplast to do a manufacturer night by the summer.
Please continue to remain healthy and safe.
Thanks
Jim Fitzgerald
Ostomy Toronto
President
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Ostomy Toronto Monthly Meeting: May |
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Join Ostomy Toronto for our virtual Monthly Meeting, a Peer-to-Peer Support Meeting, on Tuesday, May 9 at 7:30pm. All are welcome!
You're invited to join an online meeting:
Title: Ostomy Toronto's Monthly Meeting
Time: Tuesday, May 9, 2023, 7:30 PM
Click here for meeting info & links
Hope to see you there!
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REMINDER: we have switched back to Zoom for our monthly meetings. |
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OT Social Meetup: Coming Soon |
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Ostomy Toronto is planning our next social meetup. If you have any suggestions for locations, please email Jim Fitzgerald (jimfitzgerald40@gmail.com) directly with your ideas. We would like it to be accessible, and preferably located at or near a subway stop.
In the past, we have held our meetups at the Pickle Barrel at Yonge and Eglinton. We're hoping to get a nice group together to meet new people and hang out - it will be Ostomy Toronto's first meetup since before the Pandemic, so it's long overdue!
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Ostomy Canada's New Executive Director |
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Via Ostomy Canada Society:
"We are thrilled to announce that Dana Ypma (left) from Burton, BC, has joined Ostomy Canada as the new Executive Director, effective April 3, 2023. Dana brings with her a strategic mindset, leadership, and collaborative experiences. She has over fourteen years of experience in fund development, donor relationships and a wide range of skill sets to help support our Mission. She also brings an intimate knowledge of the ostomy world through her daughter’s journey. Connect with Dana at Dana.Ypma@ostomycanada.ca.
Welcome aboard!"
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"I have been an ostomate for almost 16 years now. I had my ileostomy surgery on my 30th bday and it was the best gift ever. Like so many of us I was so sick and couldn’t get out of the hospital without having what became emergency surgery. The very next day I woke up from the procure I knew the disease was gone and that this all happened for a reason. When they asked prior to surgery which ostomy I wanted, without hesitation I said the permanent one.
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I didn’t even know what they were talking about but I knew I never wanted to feel that level of pain again. Although most the videos I watched or pamphlets I read none of them seem to look like me or be as active as me. Thank god now for social media and all that you guys do to help educate and show people how you can actually live a beautiful life with an ostomy. I would love to contribute anything I can. Let me know if you have any questions for me. Thank you again.”
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If you would like to share something about yourself, and your life with an ostomy, tag @ostomytoronto in your social media posts, or email a short blurb with a photo of yourself to info@ostomytoronto.com.
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Ostomy Toronto Day Camp Program: Spots still available! |
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in partnership with The City of Toronto and OLG. |
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Ostomy Toronto will pay up to $1000 for a child with an ostomy or Jpouch to attend any day camp of their choice!
Spots are limited, and on a first-come first-served basis. Qualifying requirements apply.
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The qualifying requirements:
- Must be a resident of Toronto (requires proof of address)
- Must be 18 or younger (requires proof of age)
- Must have an ostomy or jpouch
(requires written note from a doctor, ET nurse, nurse practitioner, or registered nurse)
- Agree to provide pictures and and short report written by the parents on how camp was for the child
- Agree to join the Ostomy Toronto email list for meetings and other notices
- Complete application in full
All these requirements must be fulfilled in order to be approved for the day camp program.
Please send application or questions to ostomytorontodaycamp@gmail.com |
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Sign up for Monthly Meeting Invitations! |
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These emails will
only be sent the mornings of each Monthly Meeting, and Monthly Open Forum/Peer Support Meeting. The emails will only contain the information required to sign in and attend the Ostomy Toronto Meetings.
Please note: If you currently subscribe to our monthly newsletter, you will not be automatically subscribed to these email invitations, you will have to enter your name and email address HERE.
*If you have previously signed up for these invitation emails, you do not need to sign up again.
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Jim Fitzgerald, President
Amy Taylor-Mitropoulos, Treasurer
Susan Uno, Bookkeeper
Urooba Ahad, Director
Glen D'Silva, Director
Michele Smith, Director
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Antonio Pergola, Bingo Volunteer
Linda Hurren, Bingo Volunteer
Jennifer Burnett, Bingo Volunteer
Melissa Aman, Bingo Volunteer
Cindy Zuccaro, Bingo Volunteer
Amanda Caristo, Social Media/Web Manager
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DISCLAIMER
The information contained in this Newsletter is presented for informational purposes only. None of the information is a substitute for professional medical care, attention by a qualified practitioner, or product information that can be gained from an ostomy product distributor, manufacturer or management professional, and under no circumstances may it be relied upon as such. Always check with your doctor or Enterostomal Nurse if you have any questions or concerns about your condition or if you are about to start a new program of treatment or management. Ostomy Toronto and the editors of this Newsletter are not responsible or liable, directly or indirectly, for any form of damages whatsoever resulting from the use (or misuse) of information contained in or implied by this Newsletter.
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