Ostomy Awareness Day is on Saturday, October 7, 2017. I love the theme they have chosen, "Navigate the Journey Together". This is an excellent reminder to everyone who has an ostomy, whether it is an ileostomy, urostomy, colostomy, or any and all ostomies, you are not alone. There are so many people who have an ostomy, there is no reason to feel isolated! United Ostomy Associations of America is a wonderful group that provides ostomy education and support. They help people live their best life before, during, and after ostomy surgery. In my time working with Express Medical Supply, an online medical supply company, I have had the honor to talk to many ostomates. It is a source of joy when I can help them find the ostomy appliance that helps their skin feel better or the ostomy accessories that helps them increase their wear time. The best part though, is when I can tell them that they are not alone, that there are people who have ostomies out in the world. I can honestly assure them this is a fact because I spend most of my time at work helping people who have an ostomy.
How will you celebrate Ostomy Awareness Day?
If you haven't reached out to your local ostomy community, now is a great time. If you don't know how to start a conversation about having an ostomy maybe a sticker could help. If you contact Hollister you can get your very own Ostomy Awareness Day sticker! This is a fun way to start a conversation or just an easy way to raise awareness. You might be surprised, there are people all over that have an ostomy. Maybe they will see your sticker and start the conversation themselves.
I have talked about some of my favorite ostomy blogs in the past, if you haven't checked them out, now is the perfect time! These blogs are educational and fun at the same time. United Ostomy Associations of America made a fantastic ostomy info-graphic that can be shared online and/or printed to be handed out in person. So how will you celebrate Ostomy Awareness Day?
