[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 37 (Friday, March 11, 2011)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E460]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




     HONORING LINDA PASTO AS A 2010 GREAT COMEBACKS AWARD RECIPIENT

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                         HON. RICHARD L. HANNA

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                         Friday, March 11, 2011

  Mr. HANNA. Mr. Speaker, I pause today to recognize Linda Pasto, R.N., 
of Ithaca, New York. Linda has been selected as a 2010 Great Comebacks 
Award recipient for the East Region. This program honors a group of 
individuals who are living with varied intestinal diseases and/or 
recovering from ostomy surgery. It seeks to raise awareness of the 
quality of life issues confronting more than 700,000 men, women and 
children throughout our country affected by the very conditions that 
can result in an ostomy.
  Every year on the first day of September, Linda throws a party. It's 
not for her birthday, but for what she considers her rebirth--the day 
she received her ostomy. After 10 years of flare-ups, hospitalizations 
and weight gain from medication due to Crohn's disease and ulcerative 
colitis, Linda opted for ostomy surgery. At age 51, Linda's life began 
again. Now she uses her newfound zest and enjoyment for life to help 
others who are dealing with intestinal diseases.
  Since her surgery, Linda went from struggling with everyday 
activities, including her duties as a nursing instructor, to playing 
with her grandchildren, traveling abroad and even going on a 3-hour 
kayaking trip in the Adirondack Mountains.
  The Great Comebacks Program is sponsored by ConvaTec, a leading 
developer of ostomy and wound care products, in partnership with the 
Crohn's & Colitis Foundation, the United Ostomy Associations of 
America, Inc. and the Intestinal Disease Education and Awareness 
Society. Each year, Great comebacks presents regional awards to 12 
individuals through the United States who have struggled with a chronic 
intestinal condition and have exhibited extraordinary strength and 
courage for managing to live full and productive lives despite daily 
struggles.
  I urge my colleagues to take time to meet with some of the Great 
Comebacks award recipients. Their personal stories, like Linda's, are 
inspiration and will heighten your awareness about some of the huge 
strides being made by people living with intestinal diseases or 
recovering from ostomy surgery.

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