[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 29 (Wednesday, March 3, 2010)]
[Senate]
[Page S1015]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         ADDITIONAL STATEMENTS

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                    TRIBUTE TO SYLVIA PROTHRO HEBERT

 Mr. BENNETT. Mr. President, today I wish to recognize my 
constituent, Sylvia Prothro Hebert, who has been selected as a 2009 
Great Comebacks Recipient for the West Region. This program honors 
individuals who are living with intestinal diseases or recovering from 
ostomy surgeries, procedures that reconstruct bowel and bladder 
function through the use of a specially fitted medical prosthesis. 
Sylvia is one of over 700,000 Americans, from young children to senior 
citizens, who have an ostomy. The Great Comeback Awards celebrate the 
spirit and courage with which a patient embraces life after ostomy 
surgery. Sylvia and the other Great Comebacks Awardees are Americans 
who live life to the fullest despite the daily challenges presented by 
their respective conditions.
  At age 9, Sylvia was diagnosed with Crohn's disease. She managed her 
symptoms with medication, but experienced constant flare-ups during 
college. At age 21, her intestines were punctured during a colonoscopy 
and she underwent ostomy surgery. Following this surgery, Sylvia was 
emotionally distraught; however, she entered counseling and learned how 
to cope with her stoma. Sylvia has since triumphed over her illness, 
and achieved her dream of becoming a flight attendant. By her records, 
she's the first Delta SkyTeam flight attendant with an ileostomy. 
Additionally, Sylvia joined the Delta Ski and Snowboard team and has 
earned ribbons in many competitions. Sylvia has also completed two 
half-marathons and a triathlon.
  Today, Sylvia lives in Park City, UT, with her husband Paul and their 
children, Reese, Garrett, and Renee. I commend Sylvia and the other 
Great Comebacks Regional Award Recipients. Their personal stories are 
inspirational and will raise awareness about the great comebacks being 
made by those living with intestinal diseases or recovering from ostomy 
surgery.

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