Hi! Hope this is OK if I post this here. I am looking for anyone with a son or daughter 11-17 with an ostomy, j-pouch, or with IBD... or anyone who knows a kid who fits that description.

Applications are up for this summer's Youth Rally at www.Rally4Youth.org
It's a great week of fun, normal kid stuff (trips to the beach, Six Flags, game nights), medical education, and opportunities to talk with other teens and counselors who have gone through the same thing. About 15-20% of the kids there every year have j-pouches, so please don't think it's just for kids with ostomies. I've been a counselor for 3 years and I have seen kids leave camp a completely different person than they came and heard from parents that camp helped their child immensely. Also, do not let the expense scare anyone off, most kids are sponsored by their local hospital, UOAA chapter of other organization.

Thanks to HIPAA, getting in touch with kids with these conditions has been harder in recent years . If you know a kid that fits this description, please pass this info along to them. Thanks so much.


also- I haven't been to this board in years but I remember a few of you I had my j-pouch removed in 2003 and you guys helped me through that difficult time. It's nice to see you still on here!

Kate