One chapter representative has expressed a concern with difficulty in initiating a discussion at a SASO support group session. Here are three suggestions to consider:
Research Project
The UOAC Board of Directors has given permission to a clinical nurse, Jacqueline (Jackie) Gordon, from New Brunswick, to ask spouses or partners who live with ostomates to participate in a research project. The Board has directed that the request be published in the Connection, which is sent to all UOAC chapter presidents and newsletter editors. Check with your chapter president or newsletter editor to obtain a copy of the article, "Research Subjects Needed!". The article will explain the research project and how to get in touch with Jackie Gordon. Please give serious consideration to being part of this important project.
Stoma Ilco, Kortrijk, Belgium
Pierrette Chambert writes that the local Stoma Ilco group honored the founder and first chairperson, Sister Brigitte. The group is celebrating thirty years of support for ostomates and their families. One of the spouses in the partners group expressed her thoughts on helping the partner of an ostomate as follows:
"It is so nice what you have done for the partners. In my day, this [group] did not exist and I was alone to face all the problems. Ever since the start of Partners, I always look for articles for partners in the Ostomy-News, because it is new and of great importance to me. Our members have been pampered for 30 years by Sister Brigitte and now the partners are also taken in to consideration."
Contributed by; Ann Ivol, Chair, SASO Committee
