ENRIQUE ESCAJADA – Courage To Shine™ – Role Model of the Month for March 2012


Enrique Escajeda of California has been named the March 2012 – Courage to Shine – Role Model of the Month. In his honor we have reprinted his story below from January 26, 2012 ———————————————————————– Enrique Escajada – Aerialist Overcomes Adversity to Fly Published on January 26, 2012 Aerialist Overcomes Adversity to Fly by Enrique Escajeda Hello,…

Family Campouts for Bladder Exstrophy


Family Campouts for Bladder Exstrophy By Thomas Exler Each year there are two family campouts for Bladder Exstrophy held in the USA, one in South Lake Tahoe, California and the other one in Northern Indiana In August of 2002, I was invited as a guest speaker to attend the 2002 California Bladder Exstrophy Support Team…

THOMAS EXLER – Founder & Chairman of Courage to Shine™


Hello my name is Thomas Exler, from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA

Climbing the stairs at a waterfall in Iceland in May of 2011

For many years now, I have had been given a great opportunity to meet so many amazing people from all over the world, not in spite of, but because I was born with a rare birth defect called bladder exstrophy.  My life has had numerous blessings because of it, and on the whole the blessings have gratefully outweighed all the negatives I have had to personally endure

A “You Can” Attitude Helps Children with Disabilities Find the Courage to Shine


http://uromed.wordpress.com/2012/01/27/a-you-can-attitude-helps-children-with-disabilities-find-the-courage-to-shine/ From UroMed Hometown Heroes – Originally posted on January 27, 2012 When parents learn that their children have a medical issue like bladder exstrophy, often their dreams for those children cease, and the parents suffer along with the children. However, on the front page of the Courage to Shine website, we can show parents what their children…

Life’s Great Possibilities Await For People With Disabilities Who Find The Courage To Shine


http://uromed.wordpress.com/2012/01/26/the-great-possibilities-in-life-for-people-with-disabilities-who-find-the-courage-to-shine/ From UroMed Hometown Heroes – Originally posted on January 26, 2012 Exler: Courage to Shine, a new project we created, was originally created to be an awards program to honor outstanding people, especially those with bladder exstrophy. We wanted to honor accomplishments in society and in the greater world. As we developed the idea, we thought that a better…

Courage Is The Key To Overcome Fear With Thomas Exler


http://uromed.wordpress.com/2012/01/25/courage-is-the-key-to-overcome-fear-with-thomas-exler/ From UroMed Hometown Heroes – Originally posted on January 25, 2012 I’m often asked, “Why is a support group so important for an individual who has a physical challenge to overcome?” The only way to get courage is to face your fears and overcome them. The benefits of courage are success, happiness and bravery. Most people run away from fear….

Jamie Holmes of Jamie’s Dream Team Learns That Helping Others Cures Most of Her Illnesses


http://uromed.wordpress.com/2011/12/10/jamie-holmes-of-jamies-dream-team-learns-that-helping-others-cures-most-of-her-illnesses/ UroMed Hometown Hero – Jamie Holmes Part 4 – DECEMBER 10, 2011 I’ve learned that helping other people cures most of the sicknesses I have. This past month (November, 2011) I’ve been very, very sick, but each morning as I wake up, thinking about how sick I am, I realize I don’t have time to…

Enrique Escajada – Aerialist Overcomes Adversity to Fly


Aerialist Overcomes Adversity to Fly by Enrique Escajeda Hello, My name Is Enrique Escajeda and I was born with Bladder Exstrophy. For those that don’t know bladder exstrophy is when a person is born with their bladder on the outside of the body.  It’s a complicated ailment that demands many surgeries especially throughout childhood. The…

TOM FLOOD – The 2010 –Tom Sylva – Courage to Shine™ – Australia Recipient


On June 12, 2010 at the Coogee Bay Hotel in Coogee Bay, Sydney, NSW, Australia held in connection with the 2010 BEECHAC (Bladder Exstrophy, Epispadias, Cloacal exstrophy, Hypospadias, Australian Community) International Conference “Towards the Future”, Tom Flood was given the 2010 Tom Sylva – Courage to Shine™ – Australia Award for his long term dedication…