Edmonton Ostomy Association, AB
Shirley Dool, Edmonton's SASO rep wrote a column in The Mail Pouch regarding the importance of including a list of prescribed medications along with a confirmation letter from the family doctor and/or the pharmacist with travel documents, especially when travelling outside of Canada.
Fredericton & District, NB
At this year's UOAC conference in Moncton, a member of this chapter, Ferne Oliver, was newly elected to the UOAC Board of Directors, for a two year term. Ferne is the parent of a young ostomate, Erin. We welcome Ferne into the SASO family. Also from Fredericton is a nurse, Jackie Gordon, who is presently working on her master's degree in nursing. For her thesis, she has chosen the topic, ‘Spouses of Ostomates'. Her findings will be of particular interest to SASO members.
Moncton & District, NB
SASO rep, Marie-Celine Thebeau, reports that she and her friend participated in the World Ostomy Day Bowl-a-Thon. Along with two other bowlers, they raised $384 for their chapter. Congratulations!
Ostomy Toronto, ON
In the September issue of the chapter newsletter, the president, Deb Pelletier, devoted one paragraph in her President's Message column to reach out to all those who do not know about SASO and its help and support for spouses, family members and friends of an ostomate.
Truro Ostomy Association, NS
The Truro Chapter now has a SASO contact person. Thank you to Linda Gielen for volunteering to be the SASO representative for the spouses and significant others in her chapter.
UOA Vancouver, BC
This chapter has published a booklet, A Handbook for New Ostomy Patients, for distribution in the local hospitals. In the section, Emotional Issues for the Patient and their Family, there is a paragraph called SPOUSES, FAMILY AND CAREGIVERS, in which it is acknowledged that ostomy surgery is a change in the lives spouses, families and caregivers too. The article recommends that the spouse, family members and caregivers seek support from others who have had similar experiences.
Winnipeg Ostomy Association, MB
Due to ill health Carol Aitken, SASO contact for the Winnipeg Chapter, has had to resign. We wish to thank her for all the work she has done for SASO and wish her well.
SASO Membership
Just a reminder to everyone that SASO is open to all spouses, partners, parents, family members, friends and caregivers of someone with an ostomy. It is important that noone needing help and support is excluded.
SASO Pamphlet
The SASO Committee was hoping that the revised pamphlet SASO Support Programme would be published this year. The UOAC Board of Directors have agreed to publish the pamphlet in principle, however, the decision was made to not do so this fiscal year, 2006-2007. There are still a large number of the pamphlet Partners' Support Program and some of the French version, Programme d'appui pour les partenaires, still available. As long as there is this large number left, the revised pamphlet will not be published. Therefore, it is important that these brochures are distributed, by the local chapters, to spouses and families of new ostomates. To request copies of either pamphlet contact the UOAC National Office by telephone at 1-888-969-9698 or by e-mail at uoacan@astral.magic.ca The pamphlets are free and there is no mailing cost.
