If you’ve been following me for a while, or have read back through my previous posts, you know how much the UOAA Conference changed my life. If you’re new here, let me fill you in really quick! UOAA is the United Ostomy Association of America and they host a national conference every other year for folks with ostomies and continent diversions (like j-pouches and koch pouches). It’s like a HUGE support group with tons of educational and supportive sessions and an expo hall so you can meet manufacturers and learn about supplies and accessories you may not have heard of.
In addition to the wealth of information and support you can soak in by attending, there’s a ton of opportunity for you to meet other ostomates. We all know that our non-ostomate friends and family can be really sympathetic and supportive of us, but ultimately cannot understand what living with an ostomy is like. Meeting and interacting with people who can understand the questions, concerns, and celebrations of living with an ostomy is so valuable, and that’s what really made my first conference incredible for me.
So, good news! 2019 is the year of the national conference and REGISTRATION IS OPEN! The conference is in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania from August 6 -10, 2019. Early bird pricing (through May 31, 2019) is $150 for the whole event or $100 to attend for a day, with a discount for folks 18-25 and minors. Your ticket gives you access to all of the sessions, expo hall, and most, if not all of the fun social events. Travel, food and hotel are not included in your ticket, but they do have a group hotel rate locked in through July 5, 2019 ($159+taxes/fees per night).
I recognize that the costs to attend add up quickly, but if you can fit it into your budget I encourage you to consider going. One way to cut costs a little bit is to try to see if you can find someone to split a hotel room with. If you attend your local support group, maybe you can convince one of the other attendees to go to the conference with you. You can also visit UOAA and other ostomy related social media pages and post to see if anyone is looking for a roommate. It’s worth a shot!
If you’re curious about the demographic that attends these events, it’s everyone. There’s a solid group of attendees in pretty much every decade of life from 18 up, though there are definitely more attendees as ages increase. As a young adult attending ostomy support groups I had a hard time meeting other people in my age group who could identify with where I was in life outside of my ostomy. The conference closed that gap and provided me the opportunity to meet folks closer to my age group. From observing other attendees at the conference, I imagine this might be true for attendees in every age group. There’s also a handful of caregivers that attend, and some sessions specific for them.
At the very least, I encourage you to visit their website and peruse the conference program. And if you can’t attend this year, start saving now for 2021 or look into attending their regional conference in 2020. So many options!
You can read more about my experiences at the 2015 and 2017 UOAA Conferences here:
Have you been to a UOAA Conference? What was your favorite aspect? Are you planning to go to the 2019 UOAA Conference?
2 Comments on “2019 UOAA Conference Registration is OPEN”
I’m seriously thinking of going to the conference. I didn’t even realize there was a conference. I had my reversal in Sept ’18. I’ve been doing really well and would love to meet with others that may be to the point of reversal, but have doubts and questions. I know I often thought of cancelling the reversal surgery because of fear. What if it didn’t work? What if something went wrong? What if I had post surgery complications? I know all the worries and fears. Trust me!
Waking up with a colostomy that you weren’t expecting is traumatic. Your body has changed, both physically and emotionally. People say they understand and help you as much as possible. They are handling it how loved ones handle it. Smothering you with care and love and not letting you do anything for yourself. That’s why we love them. But let’s face it, they can not truly understand what you are experiencing. The fear, the pain, the uncertainty of the future. Only another person that has been through it can truly understand it.
Patients also believe it’s like any other surgery. Six weeks and I’ll feel better. Wrong! From the onset of your ostomy, you are drained. You are just getting to feel better, about seven months later, when your surgeon announces it’s your time for the reversal. Yea!! More to let your imagination run wild on.
Well, I’ve typed way too much. I look forward to going and meeting everyone.
Now, I need to go find the money for travel, food and hotel….. But, dang it, I’m going!!
I’m so glad to hear your reversal was successful and that you’re going to find a way to make it to the conference! Where there’s a will, there’s a way 🙂