The first Ostomy Conference I have been to “The Power of One” in Regina

The conference is 8 hours east of Calgary. I took my bike. It was a sunny but windy trip from every direction. I found I had gotten a little sun where my gloves and jacket did not meet. Friday was registration (about 100 attended, a few more on Saturday) and 3 speakers (Eric Polsinelli – Vegan Ostomy, Dr. Ryan Suri – General Surgeon, Sheryl Walker – Enterostomal Therapy Nurse) followed by wine and cheese. The speakers kept it lively along with a question and answer period.


Saturday started early at 8:30. Topics covered were chronic pain, peristomal skin complications, IBD, Angie Schickerowski – author of The Healing Compass, dietitian, and mental health. At the break, they brought out 8 muffins; the order was for 8 dozen. Someone ran out and brought a box of Timbits for each table to save the day. The conference was concluded with a nice buffet supper and entertainment by the Special Guest Zarqa Nawaz – creator of Little Mosque on the Prairie, a hit Canadian TV show.


I spent the next few days with family before heading back to Calgary. It was cool Wednesday morning, and I was freezing for the first couple of hours until it warmed up. As luck would have it, it started to lightly rain for the last 2 hours of the trip. Glad to be home.


If ever there is a conference in your area, I recommend you go.

I feel that so little is known about diagnosing someone with a combination of problems, including mental states, that osteomates will one day be seen as pioneers. We are how they are learning more about how it all works! Leach, anyone?

Hello xnine. Thanks for sharing your experience at this conference and recommending others to attend similar events. They can be a valuable learning tool and a pleasant day or two away amongst friends who know what we live with on a daily basis.
Best wishes
Bill