Janie Thompson is the immediate past President of the Continence Nurses Society Australia and has over 20 years experience as a Nurse Continence Specialist. She works for Alfred Health Continence Service in Melbourne.
Bridge Magazine
Ever wondered if your doctor or health specialist truly understands the debilitating effect incontinence has on your life? Associate Professor Michael Murray does. We spoke with him about his own compelling, very personal post-surgery story.
National Continence Helpline Manager SUE BLINMAN answers some frequently asked continence questions:
Greg Ryan was born without an anal opening, a congenital abnormality known as Imperforate Anus which affects 30,000 babies around the world each year. Without surgical intervention at birth, Greg would have died within 24 hours. Two Australian surgeons saved him, but the outcome ushered him into a life of shame, secrecy, social stigma and intense mental health difficulties.
Elite netballer, Sharelle McMahon remembers the day well. She was at a training session with the ANZ Championship team, the Melbourne Vixens when a physiotherapist used an external ultrasound to track how well the players were switching on their pelvic floor. “Only one of us in that group was actually activating our pelvic floor correctly, and that one wasn’t me,” said Sharelle.
The Continence Foundation says a heartfelt ‘thank you’ to retiring Consumer Advisory Committee member and former Senior Australian Of The Year, Phil Herreen who will be refocusing his volunteer efforts to support local, SA-based organisations.
For many people living with incontinence, Sacral Nerve Stimulation (SNS) has delivered life-changing results where all other treatments failed. Urogynaecologist and Continence Foundation Board Vice-President, Dr Ian Tucker explains.
The enduring bond between a mother and daughter is celebrated in this year’s Carer of the Year.
For more than 20 years, Annette Beauchamp has worked as a physiotherapist specialising in women’s and children’s health, with a focus on continence and pelvic rehabilitation.
A colostomy at the age of 21 was not the end of the world but the beginning of a new one. Now at 95 years of age, Jean Croxton shares some of her inspirational wisdom with granddaughter Kellie Matalone