For the cities like Houston, Texas, who are lucky enough to host an Abilities Expo, the disability community eagerly awaits this annual event. It’s like a family reunion!
Disability comes in many forms; some people are born with them, and some acquire them later in life, but we must all learn to thrive with them with the help of our peers and community resources. The Abilities Expo is a significant resource in the country that brings all disabilities together.
For nearly 40 years, Abilities Expo has been the most important show dedicated to educating and improving the lives of Americans with disabilities, senior citizens, families, caregivers, healthcare professionals, and professional therapists. The pandemic never stopped Abilities Expo from keeping the sense of community and family from getting together! When in-person shows were no longer an option, the Abilities Expo expanded its reach by going virtual.
November 6, 2018 · All day · At your local polling place or via absentee ballot 
The pouching system you were sent home with after your operation may no longer be the right product for you. Stomas can change shape and size for various reasons. If you’re fresh out of surgery, you were probably told to regularly monitor and measure your stoma as your body goes through the healing process. After a few months, your stoma will likely stabilize, and you’ll be able to choose an appropriate appliance for your needs. However, even veteran ostomates sometimes experience stoma transformations years after surgery. If this is your case, ask yourself if you’ve lost or gained weight, if your stoma has retracted or prolapsed more than usual, if you may be pregnant, or if you have a parastomal hernia. Be sure to let your healthcare professional know what’s going on and talk to them about trying a different pouching system.
If there doesn’t seem to be a pattern to when you experience leakage, take the time to jot down some notes after the next few episodes. Pay attention to what time of day the leakage occurred, what you ate beforehand, and what activity you were doing just prior. If you’re able to conclude that the leakage usually happens at the same time of day, try emptying the output or releasing gas from your pouch more often leading up to that period. If it tends to arise after a meal, tinker with the foods you’re eating to figure out if one of them may be causing excessive output. If you notice leakage happens during physical activity, try using a support belt to keep your pouch securely in place. If you encounter nighttime blowouts, try eating dinner an hour earlier than usual, setting an alarm to prompt you to empty your bag during the night, or using a larger capacity pouch.
