Birmingham IA's 2023 Information Day took place on Saturday 20th May, and what a busy day it was! We were delighted to meet so many members who had come to hear a fantastic range of expert speakers on important aspects of health for ileostomists and pouch patients.
As always, we had the customary Birmingham IA raffle, run by Mark Barnes. This year we were fundraising to support the charity Get Your Belly Out.
The day began early with our busy Product Exhibition. We were lucky to be supported by reps from a number of different companies who came to show us the latest products available. At the same time, Miss Melissa Cunha supported the Internal Pouch workshop, where a combination of experienced pouch patients and a couple on the brink of surgery were able to seek advice and information.
During the morning session, we were treated to some very informative presentations: the first was by Pooja Dhir, of City Dietitians, who gave us sound medical advice about foods we should be aiming to eat on a regular basis.
Shelagh Bickerton followed with a fascinating presentation on Kidney health for Ileostomists and pouch patients. As an expert in the fields of both stoma care and kidney health, she warned us of the risks of kidney injury and provided guidance on what we can do to help ourselves, particularly with regard to dehydration, including when we should take ourselves to hospital.
Wendy Osborne provided us with an extremely informative talk on causes and personal risk factors for developing parastomal hernias and again, gave us a wealth of good advice on how to minimise our risks.
Our final speaker was Birmingham IA member, social media influencer and 2nd Black Dan Matt Timmins, who talked at length with his usual good humour about his journey as an ileostomist and his approach to life with a stoma.
The morning's session was rounded off with a lively Question and Answer session in which the audience posed challenging questions to our panel of expert speakers, chaired by Miss Melissa Cunha, colorectal consultant at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham.
After a delicious buffet lunch provided by Oasis Café, Birmingham IA’s Business meeting was held in the afternoon, and this was followed by “Questions to the President’, during which Miss Cunha took further questions from the members.
We are extremely grateful to all of our expert speakers and the Product suppliers for giving up their time to make this day so successful. And as always, we thank our members for supporting this annual event.
 |
Birmingham IA 7 days ago |
Great work and good to know there are #stoma friendly toilets in the UK 
|
Birmingham IA 16 days ago |
Stoma shouldn't hold you back from achieving your dreams. Be part of the #ostomate community to help prepare and plan for your future
|
Birmingham IA 17 days ago |
|
Birmingham IA 17 days ago |
|
Birmingham IA 24 days ago |
Any ileostomy or pouch related questions for our local SCNs \u0040UHBColorectal? Join our 'Meet the nurses' zoom event, on Thursday 18 July \u00407.30pm UK time. For details, please email mike.jameson\u0040iasupport
|
Birmingham IA 27 days ago |
Are you travelling by plane 
this year? Worried about changes in airports with #stoma #pouch? Join our zoom meeting on 2 July. We are pleased to announce Arron \u0040bhx_official will be sharing advice on travel. Please contact mike.jameson\u0040iasupport.org
|
Birmingham IA 29 days ago |
Hydration tips this summer with #stoma #pouch 
|
Birmingham IA 37 days ago |
|
Birmingham IA 40 days ago |
|
Birmingham IA 40 days ago |
Want to meet like minded living with a #stoma or an internal pouch? Come and meet us at our socials and zoom meetings 
Also visit our website for full list of events near you www.iasupport.org
