I am excited to announce I have been nominated for the 2016 WEGO Health Activist Awards. WEGO Health, a network of +100k patient influencers, has create the awards program to: Recognize patient influencers who have become leaders among leaders Connect patient leaders to each other, across conditions and platforms Give a big “Thank You” to all…
Author: couragetoshineblog
Courage To Shine ™, Turning Adversity to Triumph,
Courage to Shine™ was founded to acknowledge, motivational and inspirational individuals and/or groups of patients whom have overcome congenital genitourinary birth defects and/or major urological surgeries in their childhood, and have the courage, strength and determination, to transform that adversity to triumph later in life.
Courage to Shine™ is dedicated to the memories of Lisha Martinez of Utah and Adam Young of Maine, as a celebration of their short lives. Lisha & Adam lived their lives to the fullest and they were pure examples of what is means to have the Courage to Shine™
Courage To Shine ™ is the patient awards program of the Association for the Bladder Exstrophy Community http://www.bladderexstrophy.com
The Association for the Bladder Exstrophy Community (ABC) is an international support network of individuals with bladder exstrophy (including classic exstrophy, cloacal exstrophy, and epispadias), local parent exstrophy support groups. and health care providers working with patients and families living with bladder exstrophy.
The Association for the Bladder Exstrophy Community (ABC)
Janet Rankin – Triumph Over Adversity Down Under
Janet Rankin – Triumph Over Adversity Down Under
Trey Lyle
Trey Lyle
2016 Courage To Shine ™ – Brittney Freeman – July 9 2016
Read more about: Brittney Freeman – Teaching Others To Shine!! Click Here 2016 Courage to Shine™ Lisha Martinez & Adam Young Award . Brittney Freeman was presented with the 2016 Courage to Shine™ Lisha Marttinez & Adam Young Award on Saturday July 9 2016. Read more about: Brittney Freeman – Teaching Others To Shine!! Click Here Brittney Nichole Freeman is…
2019 A-BE-C Great Lakes Chapter 11th Annual Summer Campout
2019 A-BE-C Great Lakes Chapter 11th Annual Summer Campout Friday, July 26 to Sunday, July 28, 2019 – You are invited to join us for a weekend campout with families dealing with bladder exstrophy, cloacal exstrophy, epispadias and hypospadias. This is a great way to connect with other families, share in similar experiences and know…
Jon Pierroz – Adversity to Triumph
Jon Pierroz – Adversity to Triumph Jon Pierroz interview by Courage to Shine™ and he just got married this month. Classic Bladder Exstrophy Email to Jon: Jon@courage-to-shine.org Please read Courage-to-Shine.org disclaimer!
Erin Kavanagh – Being Secure & Sure of Oneself is a Beautiful Thing
Note: “Being Secure & Sure of Oneself is a Beautiful Thing” originally appeared in Ostomy Canada Magazine in the Winter 2015 Issue on pages 52-53, 56. It is used under permission from Ostomy Canada Magazine which is the official magazine of Ostomy Canada. Being Secure & Sure of Oneself is a Beautiful Thing By Erin Kavanagh I…
Mindi Plumley Thayer – Triumphing Over Exstrophy
Triumphing Over Exstrophy By Mindi Plumley Thayer I was born on April 17, 1982 at 3:43 pm. I was the first child of two for my parents Dale and Nina Plumley. At birth the doctors thought I had a hernia. When they went in to repair the hernia they discovered that I had classic bladder exstrophy….
Amy Oestreicher – Turning Adversity into Gratitude
For information about TEDx Syracuse University go to Amy’s Webpage Turning Adversity into Gratitude By Amy Oestreicher I’ve been called a surgical disaster, a medical miracle, barely alive to the energizer bunny that just keep going. It was the night of our family Passover Seder – a favorite holiday of mine, reminding me of Spring,…
Caelin Mooney – Kinder than Necessary
Kinder than Necessary By Caelin Mooney My name is Caelin Mooney, I am 22 years old, a future child life specialist, an advocate for children and families, a Godmother, a sister, a cousin, a niece, a daughter… the list could go on and on with labels that pertain to me. Along with all of these…
Rachel Fisher Althizer – Turning Fear Into Confidence
Turning Fear Into Confidence By Rachel Fisher, My name is Rachel Fisher, I’m 23 years old and I was born with classic bladder exstrophy. My life began in New Bern, North Carolina in 1992. My medical experience started with an immediate closure, reclosure and bladder neck reconstruction. Unfortunately, at age four I developed blockages in…
Jessica Sanchez – Embracing Bladder Exstrophy
My name is Jessica Sanchez. I am 26 years old, born and raised in Washington State and I was born with classic bladder exstrophy. But bladder exstrophy is not who I am, it’s just a part of me. I am a daughter, a sister, a mother, a wife, a teacher, and a Christian. I love to dance, lead worship at my church, have family game nights, and watch my daughter grow. My experiences with bladder exstrophy have been both hard and rewarding. What may have seemed like a hardship at the beginning of my life; turned into a beautiful journey that I wouldn’t change for the world.
Courage to Shine™ Stories
Turning Adversity to Triumph Source: Courage to Shine™ Stories
Jearlean Taylor – Story of Triumph
New: On January 17, 2019 – Jearlean Taylor’s Story was featured on CBS News Online, and on Fox News Online. Note: In 2013 Jearlean Taylor was awarded the 2013 awarded as Great Comebacks™ East Coast recipient (Rochester, NY) – 2014 awarded as Great Comeback™ National recipient (Nashville, TN) and here is the her story on the Great…
2016 International Exstrophy Conference In Oklahoma City, OK, USA
Friday July 8 – Sunday July 10, 2016 Save the dates: July 8-10, 2016! Plan to join the A-BE-C community of families and health care providers for three days in Oklahoma City this coming July! The 2016 event is hosted by A-BE-C in partnership with the University of Oklahoma Children’s Physicians. Venue Details coming soon Oklahoma City, OK United…
The 2016 B.E.S.T. (Bladder Exstrophy Support Team) Campout
Friday August 5 to Sunday August 7, 2016 Location: Campground By The Lake, South Lake Tahoe, CA, USA Address: 1150 Rufus Allen Blvd, South Lake Tahoe, CA 96150, USA IF you’d like to stay in a hotel, accommodations are close by. Inn by the Lake – This hotel is very nice and it’s almost across the street…
Kathi & Tom’s Wedding – Nov 27 2015
The Wedding of Kathi Kulka and Thomas Exler on Friday November 27 2015 Hotel: Pittsburgh Marriott North 100 Cranberry Woods Drive, Cranberry Township PA 16066 $ 109.00 USD/Per Night + Tax Book your group rate for Kulka-Exler Wedding Block Location Map How to get here from PITTSBURGH INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT From EAST From WEST From NORTH…
The B.E.S.T. Campout – July 31 – August 2 2015
The B.E.S.T. Campout July 31 – August 2 California Bladder Exstrophy Support Team (California B.E.S.T.)’s Annual Campout is a wonderful event at one of the most breathtaking locations on earth, beautiful Lake Tahoe. The campground is found in Toiyabe National Forest in South Lake Tahoe. It is centrally located in South Lake Tahoe and is…
A-BE-C Seattle Summer Exstrophy Conference – August 1 2015
Join us in Seattle on Saturday, August 1st for a full day conference for the entire family. The free event will include morning education sessions with bladder exstrophy specialists and supervised arts and crafts for kids, followed by afternoon entertainment and picnic. More details will be available soon. If you plan to attend please register now….
Thomas Exler – 2015 Jefferson Awards – May 4 2015
On Monday May 4 2015 – Thomas Exler received the Jefferson Award for his work with Jamie’s Dream Team, the Association for the Bladder Exstrophy Community, Courage to Shine and the Pittsburgh Ostomy Society. Previous Page: Thomas Exler – Founder & Chairman of Courage to Shine
Courage to Shine™ 