The UOAA Convention

Saw the website showing August in Florida.

Might be a good idea for meet and greets... and grits? 😊

Anyone interested in attending?

These conventions are eye-openers. It would be my first.

Thoughts?

Sounds like a fun idea!  I'd be more interested in just getting together.  It's a bit spendy not to mention travel from Montana.

I'd be more likely to go somewhere not Florida...

Other conventions I have been to were not about the workshops, but more about the social aspect of meeting people.

Orlando in August? 🔥🔥

Can you imagine poolside, the bunch of us whipping out our bags? Swimming? I think evacuation alarms will sound. 😲😆.

Yes, totally socializing. I'm considering driving down from Jersey. I hate driving. No radio. 🤦‍♂️

I attended the last conference in Houston. Met a lot of other ostomates of all ages. Had a great time 🥰

I honestly would love to go but I am not at all certain that I will be able to travel by then. 

It does sound like fun... (wistful sigh)

Stories of Living Life to the Fullest from Ostomy Advocates I Hollister

I had better leave right now to get there on time. Zoooom

Houston was fun!

It was my first one and I had a blast. 

Aside from the workshops and speakers, the hangout was so much fun! 

The folks in the photo are all newbies. 

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I'm in the UK, so I've never been to that one. I've been to a lot in the UK; they can be quite boring with all the speeches, and don't even get me started on patient advocates if you have to suffer them over there preaching too, lol. But I always have a good laugh with the others that attend.

I'd love to go, but won't be able to. Gonna burn up all my vacation/sick time with this next surgery.

Take lots of poolside photos!🤪

August in Florida - this will certainly test those adhesives 😂. jb

So true.  Hydration a must🍷🍷

Riva, you are a member of UOAA, yes? Do you have a contact person you met? Someone with clout?

I think the wine may not be the hydration that is needed... jb

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Warms my heart ❤️ you are so attentive. 👍

I am trying to go.

I may have to check it out! 

Member, yes. Pre-Covid way more involved. What do you need? Are you going to the conference?

Hi, I'm considering it, leaning towards yes. I emailed them at their "contact us" icon twice. The third time, I was wondering whether to address someone specifically.

U got high friends in low places there? 😲😆 I'd give them a shout if they had... (jb u listening?) clout.

Florida in August?? 🫠 Hmm... still, I would love to meet you guys, my peeps!

🔥🥵 Indeed. 

Oh yeah, always (listening)… Do I have to send you a whole wardrobe of tees for this occasion? A note (from the wise)… You may want to avoid any black clothing in Florida in August - and go for the sleeveless - remember… less is more! 🤪👂🏻. jb

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Just for the record, some of my best friends live in FLA! I'm beginning to choose air conditioning and a pool in Florida in August over snowblowing in NY in January ❄️!

If RockyB is interested, it’s a go for me!

Where do you find these interesting shirts? Do you have them printed to say whatever you want? I've heard of these places. Usually, you find them at flea markets.

February update on UOAA conference.

Thanks, everyone, for chiming in.

I have actually spoken to two people running the convention.

One is an ost, the other? Not sure her story.

I was inquiring about accessibility for those of us with impairments.

I'm hoping they have access for wheelchair users. But for me, with a hearing loss, it seems at this moment the conference folks think the hotel is required to provide the accommodation I need.

My experience is such a thought is bullshit. Hotels provide special rooms for wheelchair users. They might provide one interpreter at the check-in desk. But providing interpreters for two days' worth of workshops? Doubtful. UOAA should do it. It's their responsibility. So right off the top, this conference woman I spoke to says she's checking on it.

(That was a month ago).

I'm gonna call the hotel and find out in five minutes their position on accessibility.

Now, I'm up for those interested in a dinner get-together meet and greet thing. We need some input. Anyone? Ideas?

At this point, I don't give AF about these

workshops, lectures, BS

sessions. I'd rather meet the folks from here and have a grand time. Let's stink up the place too!😆💯😳

Oh! Oh! Oh!!! A STOMARINES CONVENTION. - THE FEW...THE PROUD...

Warrior

Do I have to find another tee shirt for you? Your post leaves me unsure of your actual disability/complaint… jb

He definitely needs another t-shirt. I think his real disability is olfactory.

Shirts are walking advertisements. In some cases, they make a better point than actual speech. Silent. Yet deadly, too.

I'm tempted by a shirt idea...similar to that of a football jersey.

On the back of the shirt: "Marines".

And just above it: "Stoma".

Larger font on Marines, slightly smaller font on Stoma.

An eye catcher? Perhaps like some of us who speed read messages, a soldier might ask where I was stationed or the rank I was. I'd snap back, "Rear Gunnery Sergeant on the USS KENN BUTT... Virginia." 😆

A good laugh at the convention.

Likely receive a snapped neck at Port of Call. 😲

Someone... somehow... may have dropped a dime on me regarding the delayed response from the woman who was checking on my request for sign language interpreters.

Guess who called me today and left a message that "she's still working on the request"?

Wow! 😳 Word travels fast. I didn't call the hotel yet.

Learned a new word last weekend.

Audism. (not a typo for autism).