In July, Lisa Gausman received a Special Recognition Award from Ostomy Canada Society after announcing her retirement as the Youth Camp Administrator.
Dear Friends and Colleagues at Ostomy Canada Society. After 19 years, I have made the difficult and emotional decision to retire from my role as a volunteer mentor/Administrator.
What began in 2006 as a simple desire to connect with others on a similar journey evolved into a deeply meaningful chapter of my life. When I first volunteered, it was—at least in part—for selfish reasons. At that time, I had been living with my ostomy for more than a decade, but I managed it quietly. I didn’t talk about it, and I certainly didn’t advocate for it. When I decided to volunteer, I thought I needed to be around others living well with their ostomy, but what I received from the kids and from other volunteers at camp was far more than I gave. Very quickly, I realized that my beginning wasn’t selfish at all, it was the start of finding my passion. My lived experience became something I not only wanted, but needed, to share.
Thank you, Ostomy Canada, for trusting me—as a mentor, an administrator, a role model, and an advocate. Though I am stepping away from this role, I will continue in other ways that are less physically demanding. I feel confident leaving the camp admin role to Janet Paquet of Hamilton and camp alumni, Ryan Ivany of Halifax, along with head nurse, NSWOC – Carly Lindsay. Please know that I remain available to share my experience and to offer support whenever it is needed.
Many regards, Lisa Gausman
