It was all about balloons, clowns, music, prizes, information and FOOD! Mother Nature favoured our day with calm and warm weather. Members gathered early that morning to set up the information booth, lay out the attendance draw prizes, start the food preparation and blow up balloons.
As people started to gather, King of the BBQ, Helmut Friesen and his capable helper, Gretta, had delicious hot dogs and hamburgers started on the grill. Noon arrived quickly and President Lorrie Pismenny, welcomed everyone to our event.
Mary Robertson, ET, gave a very passionate speech as she brought greetings on behalf of the ET's of Manitoba. She reminded everyone that we were there to share in our common goal of improving the quality of life for those living with an ostomy all around the globe. She said we could dream of cures, a better life for children with ostomies and a time where everyone has access to whatever product that they may need to care for their body, regardless of where they live. She spoke of the importance of the partnership of ET's, ostomates, families, manufacturers & the WOA She congratulated us for having such an active support group, with regular meetings, informational newsletters, social outings, and visitor program.
A surprise visit from Stephen Fletcher MP for Charleswood, St. James & Assiniboia and who is Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Health, topped our event off. Mr. Fletcher brought greetings and congratulations on behalf of the Federal Government. He outlined the reasons for his entry into politics, his hopes to improve the situation of the disabled and to help them with their challenges. He spoke of the fact that the disabled are no longer sent to reside in institutions. He emphasized the need to work with what we have been dealt with and go forward with it.
A very impressive photo shoot of the whole group, along with Mr. Fletcher, involved everyone gathering together holding a balloon or two, while some members and families held the lettering spelling out the words Winnipeg Ostomy Assoc.
As the names were pulled from the draw box the winners of the attendance prizes were required to answer a question pertaining to ostomies before they could claim their prize. If they had difficulty answering the questions, they were directed to the information booth where Ursula Kelemen had prepared paper balloons with the pertinent facts on them. Sponsors and members supplied the many prizes that created a fun event. Ursula created a very informative display with pictures, supplies and handouts as well as the 'balloon' facts.
Bonnie Schmidt, representative from ConvaTec brought her supplies and brochures and was available to answer questions. Along with Mary Robertson, ET's Elaine Beyer and Tina Rutledge, were also in attendance and working hard with the balloons. Genevieve Thompson, the first ET in Manitoba arrived and introduced herself. We were serenaded by our own Sam Knacker on his harmonica with many familiar and favourite tunes. We were honoured with a visit from Claire Coleman, an ostomate from Modesto, California who brought her sister-in-law and niece to the park to check us out. We welcomed many who traveled from out of town. We met many new people and renewed old acquaintances. The general consensus of the event was that it was a fun time for all, along with a chance to learn a little and spread the word. As one member said, "What was there not to like?"
A big thank you goes out to all the members on the planning committee and their families and friends for all their hard work. In addition to the members mentioned above there were so many others who worked behind the scenes dealing with the mail outs, phoning, publicity, Web site, shopping, gathering sponsors, prizes, making signs, taking pictures, cashiering, food preparation, making the lettering, preparing balloons, set up and take down, etc., etc. It was a great team effort by all in the WOA.
