The Diva Team would like to welcome Corporal Stephanie McKee to the DivaCup blog. Stephanie joined the Canadian Forces in the year 2000 and served in Afghanistan (2008) helping to establish peace building initiatives and supporting combat rolls. After experiencing the troublesome of having to change pads and tampons in training and on the job, she soon discovered the DivaCup.
As many women have said, after they have had their first Diva experience, “Why didn’t I know about this YEARS ago?”.
Growing up, I was always very active in sports, Girl Guides and The Royal Canadian Air Cadets. I would go camping any chance I got. As much as I LOVE camping, nothing is worse then having a visit from “Aunt Flo” when you’re trying to enjoy the wonders of nature; the inconvenience, the mess, trying to hide pads and tampons in your hiking pack or pockets.
But, like every other woman out there, you just make the best of what you have to work with, even if that means using disposable tampons and pads.
When I was 26 I joined the Canadian Forces. Anyone who has seen an “Army” movie or even the Donald Duck Disney cartoon knows that when you are on Basic Training everything HAS to be in just the right place – folded just the right size with nothing extra showing, or let the push ups begin!!! While at training, we were allowed one box about the size of a shoe box to keep any personal things: a book, hair products, letters from home and a three month supply of “feminine hygiene products”.
I wish I had t he DivaCup then!
Military field training exercises during basic training are not your everyday “camping” experience. You can be on your feet 24/7, every minute there is something to do (and you should have had it done 10 minutes ago!) and time to change or check a tampon or pad is nowhere on the schedule. Even if you do find a few moments to steal away and find a “Johnny on the spot” you then have to remember which of the 38+ pockets you hid your back-up product stash in.
Although my period care routine had its challenges, I made it through basic training and soon started my career in the military. Within three months I was on my way to Kandahar, Afghanistan. Similar to basic training on deployments you have VERY little space for personal items, bathroom facilities often leave you dreaming of the comfort of home and you cannot just run to the corner store each month to replenish your femcare supply.
Many places you get deployed to do have some sort of store set up where you can buy things you might need, but the chances of having your brand or style in stock are slim. And then there are the regular concerns of using disposable tampons and pads, the increased number of occurrences in recalled products and all the chemicals, waste and cost that is no good for women or our environment. Sadly I’ve known many women who have suffered through TSS related symptoms because they simply did not have the time to change their product, or the right product on hand.
But, all this changed when I discovered the DivaCup!!!
With the DivaCup, I am confident that while on the job, my period is well taken care of. With 12 hours of leak-free protection, I can achieve my goals with renewed confidence. I tell every military woman I come across about the DivaCup. I also work with a number of youth groups with girls aged 12-18 and I suggest the DivaCup to each of them. While a bit different at first, the girls are curious and for many of them, this is the most period talk they will have all year! I’m excited to be a Diva and to be able to say that when it comes to period care, there is nothing else I would wear or trust to care for my cycle than The DivaCup!
Cpl. Stephanie McKee
Corporal Stephanie McKee joined the Canadian Forces in the year 2000 and since then has received a full range of experience serving as a Reservist and a Regular Force Army Supply Technician. In addition to providing support to Canadian communities, Stephanie has served in Afghanistan (2008) helping to establish peace building initiatives and supporting combat rolls. Stephanie also works part-time as a Guide at Treetop Trekking and mentoring youth between the ages of 12-18 with the Air and Army Cadet program. When not working, Stephanie enjoys spending time with her family outdoors and is often found fostering kittens and puppies from her local animal shelter.
