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.
Tag: birth defect
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
Misty Blue Foster & Jamie Holmes Featured in eBook Honoring the Best of UroMed Hometown Heroes
Misty Blue Foster and Jamie Holmes, two of Courage to Shine Role Models of the Month, have had their stories published by UroMed Hometown Heroes Blogg converted along with 14 others into eBook: Courage: Stories of Hometown Heroes which can be purchased on Amazon.com at http://www.amazon.com/Courage-Stories-Hometown-Heroes-ebook/dp/B007WU2RX4/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1335785891&sr=8-1 UroMed Launches E-book on Hometown Heroes Overcoming Disabilities MAY 2, 2012 LEAVE A…
Natalia from Moscow – Mother’s Love for Daughter Has Helped Many Families All Over Russia
Courage to Shine Editor: Today we have a story from a young mother, Natalia Mayorova, from Moscow, Russia. Who’s love for her daughter, has turned that love into a project that has helped many families all over Russia and around the world. Sometimes in life it is just the little extra things that can make…
Courage to Shine™ 