CCFA Educational Conference

Yesterday was the inaugural Crohn's and Colitis Foundation event in Boise--the first-ever Educational Conference. As you may remember, I have been facilitating a CCFA support group here in the Boise area for the past 7 months, and it is still going strong. But it was so great to find out last fall that CCFA is finally bringing more resources to Boise. I have been on the planning committee, along with 4 others, for this event and we have been planning and publicizing the event for the past couple of months. We had 90 people register ahead of time--which was great considering there has never been an event like this here before. About 60 people actually showed up, which was expected but still really good to see that many people come to benefit from the event.
Here's a little about the event--it was yesterday from 9-2 at the AmeriTel Spectrum. We had 4 different speakers-a Gastroenterologist, a Psychologist, a GI-Specialty surgeon, and a Nutritionist. We also had a question and answer panel, some drug reps for new Crohn's and colitis drugs, and of course we provided breakfast and lunch.
All the speakers were so great, and I really loved it because not only was is great to see so many people come to benefit from our planning, but of course since I also had colitis at one time and I had a major abdominal surgery (colectomy), I learned a lot from the speakers also. I was also able to chat with more people about the support group, and I met a potential co-facilitator, which I have been looking for.
Not only did we have the conference most of yesterday, but Friday I was also busy all afternoon with CCFA stuff. The Northwest Chapter's Education and Support manager flew down for the event (she has been heading up the planning), and we met for lunch and spent the afternoon visiting with all the local GI dr. offices, and then we met up with the whole committee for dinner as well. So it was a very busy weekend, but it was GREAT to finally see my dreams starting to come true of Crohn's and Colitis awareness and support becoming more available in Boise, and hopefully eventually in all of Idaho.
Beyond everything else, spending my weekend thinking tons about Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis really did 2 things for me. One was that I was really humbled (once again) to realize how incredibly blessed I am that I have been so healthy. I was very sick for about 1-1/2 years in high school with ulcerative colitis before I had my colon removed. And yes, I do still deal with a "different" digestive system than most people, but compared to being sick and having to deal with the symptoms of either of those diseases, I'd take what I have any day. I am really really lucky. Also, it was a good reminder to hear from the psychologist that spoke that it's okay to have to cope with my health concerns. Not that I have to let my difference from others rule my life by any means, but I CAN change situations and find ways to make things work for me, and that is okay. Yeah, I can't go on an all-day hike or be away from a restroom for an extended amount of time, but I CAN do a million other things, and adjust situations so they can work for me. Sometimes I feel stupid having to do things differently than others because of my health, but it was empowering to be reminded that although I can do that, it is a good way to cope and I can really make the most of my life with what I have.
And overall, let's keep praying for a cure for both these diseases!!!