Ostomy Awareness Day

An ostomy (or stoma) is often misunderstood and National Ostomy Day raises awareness. An ostomy is a surgical opening made in the skin as a way for waste products to leave the body. An ostomy can allow wastes to leave from the intestines (ileostomy or colostomy) or from the bladder (urostomy).

Most people (especially in the past) have mid the fact they have an ostomy. Statics prove when people have bowel resections which result in ostomy they are often discriminated against and have higher than normal rate of divorce (as of 1990, of married couples where one partner received an ostomy, 87% separated because the spouse due to the ostomy). In 1990 President Bush added “people with ostomies” to the Americans with Disabilities Act.

People with ostomies are still often stopped at security by TSA and their body don’t conform to TSA’s standards; therefore, they are gropes, pokes, and have stranger’s hands on their stomach with chemical detecting pads. Public bathrooms often don’t provide the service needed, like water while in a stall changing the appliance.

Having an ostomy is a huge hidden secret for many people and often people are choosing death rather than living with an ostomy.

Relayer Lori BrownKuhiski explained that she is lucky and grateful that she and her husband are still together after her cancer surgery leaving her with an ostomy. She publicly announced at work and at church about her ostomy and was overwhelmed with support and others letting her know they also had one.

Ostomy Awareness Day is a first step to changing the stigma around ostomies through awareness and conversations. Everyone is encouraged to wear an ostomy sticker to help raise awareness and acceptance of ostomies.