Major League Baseball agent Joshua Kusnick courageously shares his journey living with bladder exstrophy in a profile by former Sports Illustrated reporter Joe Lemire in The Cauldren.
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)
Great Lakes 7th Annual Summer Campout
July 24 – July 26, 2015 “A great way to connect with other families, share in similar experiences and know that you are not alone!” The Great Lakes Chapter of A-BE-C invites all families dealing with bladder exstrophy, cloacal exstrophy, epispadias and hypospadias to the 2015 campout. The weekend includes a picnic lunch, evening…
Lowell Evans – The Village
By Lowell G. Evans I was born on November 7, 1960, the youngest of nine (9) children. My hometown where I was raised is Gloucester, VA. My parents were the best anyone could ask for as everyone who knew them looked up to them for the way they treated others. This truly made our family…
Brittney Freeman – Teaching Others To Shine!!
By Brittney Freeman Hello world, I am Brittney Freeman. I am 26 years old and born and raised in Oklahoma. Its interesting the phrase born and raised because we all say it. Except we are not all born the same, some of us are born on a special days such as Christmas, or maybe in…
Emily Broeren Kohlman – My Journey!!!
By Emily Broeren First and foremost, my name is Emily Rose Broeren. I am 23 years old, 5 foot 4, and have blonde hair and blue eyes. I was born and raised in Kaukauna, Wisconsin, but now live in Massillon, Ohio. My family means a great deal to me and are some of the most…
Courage To Shine™ – Tour IV – USA – June 24 – August 10 2014
Press Release Courage to Shine™ Team to tour the United States from July 24 through August 10 2014 July 25 2014 ABC Campout in Bristol, Indiana & August 1-3, 2014 at the California B.E.S.T Campout in South Lake Tahoe, Nevada with additional events to be added Pittsburgh, PA, USA, June 17, 2014: Thomas Exler, vice-president…
Kirsteen Lupton Plop – Pride of Britain
Editors Note: Kristeen Lupton will be toured the USA in 2014. She attended the Association of Bladder Exstrophy Community (ABC) Great Lakes Chapter Campout July 25-26, 2014, and attended the California Bladder Exstrophy Support Team (BEST) Campout August 1 -3 2014. By Kristeen Lupton Plop Hey, my name is Kirsteen Lupton Plop, I am twenty years…
Kiersten Kelly – An Angel’s voice overcoming adversity – Part 2 of 2 – The Interview
Editor’s Note: I (Thomas Exler) had the pleasure of meeting Kiersten Kelly at a fundraiser for Jamie’s Dream Team on March 23, 2013, and I was so impressed with her, not only the way she presented herself, but also in her vocal talent, so please sit back and enjoy this amazing story from an international YouTube sensation Kiersten Kelly. This is…
Kiersten Kelly – An Angel’s voice overcoming adversity – Part 1 of 2
Editor’s Note: I (Thomas Exler) had the pleasure of meeting Kiersten Kelly at a fundraiser for Jamie’s Dream Team on March 23, 2013, and I was so impressed with her, not only the way she presented herself, but also in her vocal talent, so please sit back and enjoy this amazing story from an international YouTube sensation…
Leonard H. Newton Jr. – “You may knock me down, but I will never fall”
Editor’s Note: Courage to Shine™ Team Members first came across Leonard at a conference in 2009, and we were so impressed with Leonard that we are so honored to have the chance to present Leonard Newton’s story here on Courage to Shine™ . “You may knock me down, but I will never fall” By Leonard…
World Rare Disease Day – February 28, 2013
The Association for the Bladder Exstrophy Community (ABC) for the first time has become a partner for World Rare Disease Day in the USA. – WORLD RARE DISEASE DAY – FEBRUARY 28, 2013 For more information click on the fliers below are go to http://rarediseaseday.us/ Bladder Exstrophy is one of about 7,000 rare diseases listed by NORD (National…
Courage to Shine™ – Tour III – Spain – November 2012
Courage to Shine™ – Tour III – Spain – ASEXVE Medical Conference, Avila, Spain – November 23-25, 2012 News Release: Courage to Shine™ Team to Attend ASEXVE Medical Conference in Avila, Spain from November 23 –25, 2012 In early 2012, Thomas Exler and Mist Blue Foster were invited to attend and to speak at the ASEXVE (Asociación española…
Courage to Shine Travel’s to Spain – ASEXVE Medical Conferece
Courage to Shine Travel’s to Spain – ASEXVE Medical Conference in Avila, Spain Day 1 – November 21 2012: Misty Blue Foster & Thomas Exler board flight for Madrid, Spain Day 2 – November 22 2012: Misty Blue Foster & Thomas Exler arrive in Madrid at 7 AM Madrid Time.
News Release: Courage to Shine™ Team to Attend ASEXVE Medical Conference in Avila, Spain from November 23 –25, 2012
Courage to Shine™ Team to Attend ASEXVE Medical Conference in Avila, Spain from November 23 –25, 2012 Pittsburgh, PA, USA, November 5, 2012: Courage to Shine™ Team lead by Thomas Exler, president of the Association for the Bladder Exstrophy Community (ABC) and founder & chairman of Courage to Shine™ along with team member Misty Blue Foster, LVN,…
12th Annual California Bladder Exstrophy Support Team Campout – August 3 – 5, 2012
12th Annual California Bladder Exstrophy Support Team Campout Friday August 3 – Sunday August 5, 2012 Campground by the Lake, South Lake Tahoe, California, USA By Thomas Exler This past August 3-5 2012, 15-20 families living with bladder exstrophy, came together in South Lake Tahoe, California, for the 12th Annual California Bladder Exstrophy Support Team (B.E.S.T.)…
4th Annual ABC Great Lakes Chapter Campout – July 20-22, 2012
4th Annual ABC Great Lakes Chapter Campout Friday July 20 – Sunday July 22, 2012 Eby’s Pines RV Park & Campground, Bristol, Indiana, USA In late July 2012, Alice Ambrose of Michigan, along with her husband Brad Ambrose were honored to again be the hosts for the 4th Annual ABC Great Lakes Chapter Campout, at Eby’s…
MISTY BLUE FOSTER – Courage To Shine™ – Role Model of the Month for June 2012
MISTY BLUE FOSTER – Courage To Shine™ – Role Model of the Month for June 2012 Courage to Shine Editor: Misty Blue Foster has been named the June 2012, Courage To Shine Role Model for the month. After you take the time to read her inspirational story below, you will totally understand why Courage to…
Joanna Burgess–Joy’s Way–A Journey of Survival, Hope and Inspiration – Reposted June 9 2012
Editor’s Note: In honor of Joanna Burgess being honored tonight (June 9, 2012) in Charlotte, North Carolina as this year’s Great Comebacks® National Award recipient, we at Courage to Shine would like to re-post her original story “Joy’s Way – A Journey of Survival, Hope and Inspiration” Originally Published on March 24, 2012: Courage to Shine™ is honored to present the original story of…
Alice Ambrose – Featured as a UroMed Hometown Hero
Alice Ambrose a long time friend of the Association for the Bladder Exstrophy Community was featured as a UroMed Hometown Hero on the UroMed blog from May 14 – 20, 2012 at http://www.uromed.com/blog/ Below are the links to the articles written by John Phillips and posted on the UroMed Hometown Heroes Blog site: PART 1 of…
Jamie Holmes – Jamie’s Dream Team Presents – ‘Beyond Belief’ – Posting by UroMed on the event at UroMed Hometown Heroes Blog Site
Jamie Holmes – Courage to Shine Role Model of the Month for January 2012. On Sunday May 20, 2012 Jamie and her entire Jamie’s Dream Team held an event called Jamie’s Dream Team Presents – ‘Beyond Belief’ at the Hollywood Theater in Dormont, PA. The evening was an amazing success!!! Below is a release from…
Courage to Shine™ 