, Bridge Magazine , Health Articles
Welcome to the winter edition of the Bridge Magazine where we celebrate and acknowledge World Continence Week 2024, a global initiative intended to raise awareness of bladder and bowel control issues, chronic pelvic pain and other conditions which impact greatly on the lives of patients, families and carers. This year, the Continence Foundation of Australia acknowledges World Continence Week through the theme of ‘Let’s Talk.’
This is my first issue of the Bridge Magazine since being appointed the CEO of the Continence Foundation of Australia, and it is a privilege to be able to welcome stories from experts and those who have lived experiences with incontinence.
For many, health-related issues are treated privately and for many others, health-related issues might not even be treated at all. Of course, the choice to openly discuss matters of health is at the discretion of each individual but through the stories in our magazine, we find that the more we communicate about incontinence, the more we can try to ‘normalise’ conversation and clear negative perceptions.
In this issue, we speak with Becky Khan, an Occupational Therapist who discusses how parents can better navigate through the clinical process for children with disability who have incontinence. We also speak with GP, Dr Dinara Markhabullina who shares medical insights into the biological underpinnings and functioning of incontinence. A stroke survivor shares her personal lived experience story, and another shares her experience through a cultural lens exploring how our culturally and linguistically diverse communities can successfully engage with clinicians when they need support.
We are also pleased to announce the Continence Foundation of Australia’s Carer of The Year for 2024, Maria Erceg. Maria’s story is inspiring and we congratulate her on being the recipient of this year’s award.
I hope you enjoy this edition of the Bridge Magazine and feel encouraged to learn more about incontinence, raise awareness and keep in touch with those who experience incontinence.
Best wishes,
Gian
