September 27, 2020 Dear Ostomy Association of Metro Denver, Inc members. Hope this finds everyone well. Today, we the board are sad to make an announcement. We have struggled to provide continued support group meetings over the past few months. With the “new norm of Covid 19” and the challenges that it has brought with it, we have made appropriate adjustments per the CDC requirements making it so we were not able to meet at Porter Adventist Hospital or anywhere else in person. We decided to attempt to hold our support group meetings virtually using ZOOM. Several other support groups, religious services and meetings have been able to have virtual meetings. The difference with us and other groups that are able to do this is that they are connected with a group that has an IT department. Our particular group is independent, self-funded through donations and dues, but is free to anyone who needs help. We do ask for a donation of $30 per year if you would like to receive the newsletter and become certified visitor and participate in special programs. Because we do not have an IT department, setting up virtual meetings has not been a successful situation at this time. As a result, we have decided to cancel our support group meetings until we can re-evaluate things after the first of the year. Our association has been in existence since 1969. In the past 2 years we have with pride and honor been able to assist 5 other support groups to form in Colorado. We have established a certified visitors’ program and are part of the CU nursing school medical surgical rotation in which we do a presentation on what it’s like to be an ostomate. This has always been done in person, so at this time with much regret, we are not able to give our presentations. YOU ARE NOT ALONE: Even though we won’t be able to have our virtual meetings, we are always available by calling the help line @303-377-4878. If you have any questions or are in need of support, will make sure one of us calls you back and connect you with someone who can help you. We will be posting our help line number on our website denverostomy.org. Any new ostomate or anyone with questions will be able to call it, and we will return the call within 24-48 hours and provide whatever help or support that is needed. Those members who have gone through the certified visitor program may be called upon to help speak to callers. WE STILL ARE AND WILL REMAIN THE OSTOMY ASSOCIATION OF METRO DENVER, INC. As a result, and the fact that we are self-funded, we still have some bills that have to be paid monthly, such as our help line. We are asking you to please generously send in your yearly dues so that we can stay up and running. No one is penalized for not sending in dues. We will still send out a monthly news update message to everyone via email. During this time, we are grateful for your patience, support and help while we continue to provide our service to our fellows ostomates. We make this change with much sadness but feel that this is the way we can remain the best group available given the circumstances. Best wishes to all, Your board. Eileen (President), Sam (VP), Tracey (Secretary), Jay (Treasurer), Sue (board member-phones), Patty(member), Maureen(member), John(member) Eileen Goldberg, President
Why come to a meeting?
Quotes from members- “From the first meeting I went to before my surgery I have been so blessed to meet such open, honest and caring people. People who I can share my worries, concerns & triumphs of my ostomy. I can't imagine going through this journey without all of them. One can't possibly go to a meeting and feel like you don't fit in. Not only does it feel good to go and get advice, but I think it feels even better to go and give to someone just starting out on the journey.” Tracey Sloan (member) "One of the most important things that helped me was the magazine for ostomates called The Phoenix, (I was sent home from the hospital with an issue, but too afraid to even open the folder that would tell me of ‘all’ the things that, at that time, were disgusting to me). I didn’t open that folder for over a month after my surgery. When I did open it and begin to read ‘everything’ that was in it, I couldn’t stop, I couldn’t believe all this information was written down, and much of it was exactly what I was feeling! I read that issue of The Phoenix from cover to cover, and then went online to the UOAA. So much information was available to me! I called the local support group, and talked to Steve Johnson, (the President) who took at least 45 minutes of his precious time to talk and share with me. He, too, had a colostomy. Hearing him talk openly of something I was so ashamed of was very comforting. He encouraged me to attend a meeting, and meet others who have also been there and who are currently there. The support group was invaluable to me! Debbie Conway (member) See her entire article Several years ago, during a visit with my physician, he asked me, “What kind of exercise are you getting?” I said, “I’m playing on a softball team for guys 45 and over.” To which he replied, “Softball! That’s not exercise….that’s’ a social event!” I couldn’t really argue with him and we both chuckled about it. Not long after this humorous exchange with my doctor, I came down with a very nasty case of Ulcerative Colitis. Jim Folsom article (member) See his entire article
|
|
Home Page Welcome
Subpages (1):
Eileen's Story