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Join Us in Celebrating WOC Nurse Week!

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Here at Comfort Medical, we have the utmost respect and appreciation for the Wound, Ostomy, and Continence nurses who take such great care of our clients. So, this week (April 14 – 20, 2019), we’re joining The WOC Nurse Society in celebrating these nurses and the services they provide. In light of WOC Nurse Week, let’s take a look at what these healthcare workers do, the training they go through, and why they deserve our praise and recognition!

What Does a WOC Do?

As you probably know, a WOC nurse treats patients who have wounds, ostomies, and continence disorders. This could include educating patients and fellow healthcare workers on the prevention and treatment of pressure sores during hospital stays, teaching new ostomates how to care for their stomas post-surgery, and providing education on various catheterization methods. WOC nurses can also help patients choose the ostomy and catheter products best suited to their needs and should be the go-to person when it comes to any issues concerning daily care routines.

What Kind of Education Is Needed to Become a WOC Nurse?

Although each state has slightly different requirements, in most cases, a WOC nursing program applicant must already be an active registered nurse with a Bachelor of Science degree. Once accepted, students attend courses specific to wound, ostomy, and continence care and typically, must complete several hours of clinical practice as well. The final step is to pass the WOCN Certification Board exam. However, the work is far from over even after earning their stripes. Every five years, WOC nurses are required to re-certify, which entails either passing another exam or proof that they have remained involved in the field through various activities such as continuing education credits, research, or teaching. Rest assured, your WOC nurse has gone through rigorous training in order to provide you with the best care possible!

What Can You Do to Celebrate WOC Nurse Week?

If you’re reading this as a WOC nurse, we thank you for your service! Take some time this week to acknowledge the importance of your work and the impact you have on your patients. You can also enter the WOCN Society photo contest by posting pics of yourself on social media and including #WOCNurseWeek2019. Check out the WOCN Society website for more information.

If you’re reading this as an ostomate or catheter user, reach out to your WOC nurses and let them know how much they are appreciated. Downloadable and printable thank you cards and certificates of appreciation are available on the WOCN Society website. You can also use social media to give your favorite nurse a shoutout using #WOCNurseWeek2019.

Comfort Medical Is Here to Help

Did your amazing WOC nurse recently suggest a different product than what you’re currently using? Reach out to Comfort Medical, and we’ll help get those items delivered directly to your door! A product specialist is waiting to assist you at 1-844-700-7036. Talk to you soon!

Calling Filmmakers, Writers, and Actors: Join the Easterseals Disability Film Challenge!

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Having started his career at an early age, actor and comedian Nic Novicki (you may have seen him in Boardwalk Empire, The Sopranos, or Drop Dead Diva to name a few) noticed he was often the only one on set with a disability. This glaringly obvious underrepresentation of people with disabilities in the entertainment industry sparked the idea for the Disability Film Challenge which held its first competition in 2014.

Easterseals 100th anniversary logo

100 years ago, businessman Edgar Allen saw a need to change societal views on disability. When he discovered parents were often encouraged to hand their disabled children over to state institutions to live out their lives hidden from the public eye, he founded the National Society for Crippled Children, now known as Easterseals. In 2017, Easterseals partnered with Novicki to help promote the Disability Film Challenge.

2019 Challenge Details

This year, the challenge takes place from April 5–7, and anyone and everyone is welcome to participate. Here’s how it all rolls out:

Starting today:

  • Gather your cast and crew. The team can include friends, family, neighbors, coworkers, the barista at your favorite coffee shop…anyone! No experience in the film industry is required. Make sure to include people with physical or cognitive disabilities in front of and/or behind the camera (e.g., writers, directors, producers).

Nic Novicki with two men in wheelchairs, two men standing, and a woman standing. Image text reads, "You could be this year's big winner! Register for the 2019 Easterseals Disability Film Challenge at www.disabilityfilmchallenge.com

By April 3, 2019:

  • Register your team and pay the $60 entry fee.

On April 3, 2019:

April 5, 2019:

  • Fire up the coffee pot and wait for the kickoff email to arrive (11 a.m. PDT/2 p.m. EDT) indicating required props and locations to be included in your film.
  • Get your cameras and wheelchairs rolling! You have 55 hours to shoot, edit, and submit your three to five-minute film.

April 7, 2019:

  • Submit your finished film by 5:59 p.m. PDT/8:59 p.m.EDT.
  • Celebrate your hard work and a weekend well spent!

Tamara Mena in wheelchair being filmed by a camera man. Text reads, "Help change the way the world defines and views disability! Registration for the 2019 Easterseals Disability Film Challenge closes April 3 at www.disabilityfilmchallenge.com.

And the Winner Is…

A panel of judges comprised of established writers, producers, actors, and other entertainment industry insiders will scrutinize entries during the ensuing weeks before announcing winners in each of four categories:  best film, best director, best actor, and best awareness campaign. Prize packages include things like camera equipment, editing software, mentor meetings, grants, and screening opportunities at various film festivals.

Easterseals Disability Film Challenge postcard. Text reads, "Take your career into your own hands. A 55-hour filmmaking competition to change the way the world defines and views disability. Easterseals Disability Film Challenge. Friday, April 5 - Sunday, April 7, 2019

Your Chance to Make a Difference

Doesn’t this sound like an amazing time and a great opportunity for advocacy? We think so! And so do a number of disabled actors who have participated in the challenge in the past like Tatiana Lee, Patrick Ivison, Tamara Mena, and Tobias Forrest. Don’t let those big names scare you away, though! This is an opportunity for beginners and experts alike. Newbies can get their feet wet while experienced filmmakers can continue refining their skills. And if you don’t have access to fancy cameras, boom mics, or expensive editing software, don’t worry about it — a camera phone will do the job just fine!

Large group of people. Several of the people in the front row are in wheelchairs including Patrick Ivison and Tatiana Lee. Text reads, "Register for the 2019 Easterseals Disability Film Challenge! www.disabilityfilmchallenge.com

So what are you waiting for? Head over to DisabilityFilmChallenge.com to check out themes and winners from previous years, and then go ahead and click on the “Register” button. Don’t forget to mention you heard about the challenge on Wheel:Life.

3-2-1 Action!

Don’t Miss These 5 Adaptive Events This December

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December is here, and while we love to use holiday parties as an excuse to overindulge, we also like to take time to reflect on the year and set goals for the future. If being more active is on your list for 2019, there’s no reason to wait until January to put that plan into motion! Check out these adaptive events happening in December across the country, and yes, dancing your way into 2019 counts as exercise!

Wheelchair skiing 1) The Hartford Ski Spectacular

December 3 – 9, 2018 • Breckenridge, CO

‘Tis the season for winter sports, and what better setting than the Rockies! Disabled Sports USA is partnering with Beaver Run Resort to bring you a week full of skiing, curling, sled hockey, and more. Don’t forget your bell bottoms — you’ll need them to finish out the week in style at the ‘70s-themed party with your new friends!

2) Stance ISA World Adaptive Surfing Championship

December 12 – 16, 2018 • La Jolla, CA

wheelchair next to water
If you’d rather hang out at the beach than bundle up in the mountains, head out to La Jolla, California, for the World Adaptive Surfing Championship. Athletes must be selected by their national federation to qualify for this event, so get ready to see some highly skilled surfers from all over the planet vying for a spot on the podium!

3) Ability360 Adaptive Golf Clinics

golf

December 12, 19, and 26, 2018 • Phoenix and Laveen Village, AZYes, golf can be enjoyed all year round in Arizona! No prior experience is needed, and all necessary equipment for you to learn adaptive golfing techniques is provided. The best part? It only costs $10 (or $5 if you’re an Ability360 member)!

4) Skate With the Bruins

December 15, 2018 • Lincoln, NH

adfaptive-skating

Join New England Disabled Sports on the ice this December with a select group of Boston Bruins alumni! Skate time will be followed by cocktails, a silent auction, and a 50/50 raffle. Proceeds go toward NEDS’s year-round adaptive sports programming which includes skiing, rock climbing, archery, and more.

5) Charm City Countdown New Year’s Eve Party

New Years Eve

December 31, 2018 • Baltimore, MD

If you’re going to spend money on a New Year’s Eve party, why not dance the night away while helping Caring Communities fund various support services and activities for the disability community throughout Maryland, Washington DC, and Virginia. This year’s theme is Midnight in Hollywood, so start thinking about your costume now!
Of course, we realize you may not be able to make any of these events, but don’t forget to check your area for other opportunities to get active this December!

Adaptive Events Happening This August

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We have to face the facts…another summer is nearing its end. Before we know it, the kids will be back in school and those long summer daylight hours will begin to dwindle down. Now is your last chance to take advantage of some amazing summer programming! With camps, clinics, and gatherings happening all over the country, you still have time to make plans this August. Here are some of the adaptive activities we have our eye on to keep us entertained until fall hits.

Adaptive Events in Your State

Alabama

California

Colorado

Connecticut

Florida

Idaho

Kansas

Maryland

New Jersey

New York

North Carolina

Pennsylvania

Utah

Vermont

Virginia

Washington

What’s Going On Near You?

We can’t possibly cover every single event happening all over the country, so if our calendar doesn’t feature anything in your state, check with local organizations to see what’s left on their schedule this summer. Whatever you do, don’t sit at home and miss out on sunshine, sport, and socializing with new and old friends this season!

 

Get Ready for Rolling With Me’s Each By Name Conference

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Wheel:Life, Comfort Medical, and Rolling With Me is excited to announce that Comfort Medical will be sponsoring Rolling With Me’s Second Annual “Each By Name,” conference. This conference informs, engages, and empowers women of all abilities. Each By Name is Hosted by La Mesa Church of Christ in La Mesa, California, and is organized by Margarita Elizondo, CEO and Founder of Rolling With Me, and Mendy McClure a professor at SDSU who teaches a GS420 course, Disability and Society. Margarita also serves as one of the Wheel:Life ambassadors, where she contributes to Comfort Conversations.

Coming to you on November 11, 2017!

The focus of the conference is to empower women of all abilities to be strong leaders and advocates in the community, while at the same time encourage inclusion on college campuses, community clubs, activities, and events. The ways they do this is by including able-bodied leaders to participate in the logistics of the conference as volunteers, and be participants of the conference themselves. This gives women of all abilities the opportunity to learn from each other and the opportunity to create a network of resources and peer support.  Each By Name teaches the following:

  • Inclusion
  • Advocacy skills
  • Leadership skills
  • Self-esteem building
  • Adaptive sports skills
  • Faith as a foundation

Margarita Elizondo has dedicated the following poem to the conference.  This poem embraces the powerful message of this inclusive conference. It is also a perfect message for our country right now and should be spread worldwide.

Each By Name

You are not black, white, or brown

You are not lame, retarded, handicapped, or disabled.

You are not the size of your bank account.

You are not the “N” word and you definitely do not deserve to be enslaved, deported, or locked away simply because you are different.

You are not defined by the color of your skin, your seen or unseen limitations, the size of your clothes, or your sexual preference.

You are not a label.

You are not a statistic, a stereotype, or a racial slur.

You are not what society has defined you as nor what that negative voice in the back of your mind echoing your childhood bully’s tournaments.

You are each by name perfectly and purposely made just as you are.

You are each by name given to you at birth by your parents who truly love you.

You are each by name given to by your stature, smile, and essence.

You are each by name given to by your adventures and your accomplishments.

You are each by name given to you by a God who knew you before you were created and with one breath spoke you into existence.

Flashback 2016 Speakers & Workshops

Location Accessibility

Thanks to the advocacy of the late Rita Desire a former member of La Mesa Church of Christ and her mission to make churches more inclusive, their inviting facility has been modified extensively for wheelchair access throughout the property. The church has accessible restrooms, ramps, clearly marked accessible parking spaces, and most recently (designed specifically for Each by Name) a wheelchair accessible stage. Pastor Graham Clifford and his congregation have kept Rita alive through their love and outreach to people of all abilities.

What to expect at Each By Name

Participants and volunteers alike participated in the 4 session breakdown of the conference which will include:

Session 1- Speakers:

Tayloure Marcella, Ms. Wheelchair California 2017

Mary Thompson, LCSW SHARP Medical Social Work

Angela Van O,

Niki Yoshimo, Accessible San Diego

Margarita Elizondo, CEO/Founder

Session 2- Workshops

Emily Dolton- Art

Luda Gogolushko – Self Publishing

Angela Van O – Parenting from the Lap

Dr. Jacqueline Jackson – Employment Development

Session 3- Adaptive Sports

SDSU Adaptive Sports

Triumph Foundation

Inclusive Dance

Adaptive Boxing lead by Carlos Gonzalez, Jr and Youth Athletic Gym

WCMX lead by Robert Thompkins, Gretchen Nagel, and Quinn Waitley

Session 4- Grand Finale

Abilities Art Show

Resource Fair

What happens after the conference?

Rolling With Me, Wheel:Life, and Comfort Medical want to continue the peer support. Margarita is a Wheel:Life Comfort Medical Ambassador and offers four focus topic articles a year on her personal experience as a Spinal Cord Injury Survivor. Please visit her articles and comment with your thoughts.

Rolling With Me has created a Facebook group page for Each By Name where participants and other women can stay connected and update each other on how they apply the leadership skills to create inclusion in their community. It is also a way to network and support each other. You may also book Margarita or any of the Each By Name, presenters for your next event! For sponsorship or vendor/exhibitor opportunities contact Resource Fair Coordinator, Tesia Canseco.

Book Your Ticket Today!!!

For continued updates on Each By Name, conference follow our Facebook page and Margarita @rollingwith_me on Twitter and Instagram.

About Comfort Medical

Based in Coral Springs, FL, Comfort Medical, LLC is the leading national mail-order provider of urological and ostomy supplies. Comfort is committed to supporting the needs of patients and healthcare professionals by providing a diverse product offering, convenient home delivery, education and support. Comfort Medical, LLC is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Liberty Medical Holdings, LLC. Learn more at www.comfortmedical.com or call 1-800-700-4246.

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