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!                    

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….

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.

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…

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…

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…

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…

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…

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…