Over 5 million Australians, 1 in 4 people aged 15 years or over, experience bladder or bowel incontinence. Incontinence is not just a woman’s or an older person’s issue, nor is it an inevitable part of ageing. Incontinence is a common condition that can be treated and proactively managed. Incontinence can affect people at any age, but in many cases, it can be prevented, better managed or even cured. Seeking advice from a health professional is the first step to recovery.
This World Continence Week we hear the stories of those with lived experience of incontinence and encourage others to seek help to enable them to live confident, continent lives.
The narrative serves an important function in understanding the lived experience. Telling their story may help a person find meaning in their condition and then ultimately be able to accept and integrate it as part of their life. Story telling also facilitates awareness, education and empathy, allowing others to relate and encouraging them to seek help and support to change their own narrative.
“It’s important that we share our experiences with other people. Your story will heal you and your story will heal somebody else. When you tell your story, you free yourself and give other people permission to acknowledge their own story.”
Iyanla Vanzant, author, lawyer and American inspirational speaker
The Continence Foundation of Australia greatly values the stories people share of living with or caring for someone with incontinence. Reading the experience of others can make a huge difference to someone in a similar situation. If you would like to share your story with us, please register on our website at share your story,
