I have noticed lately people saying they haven't met anyone else with an ostomy. Well, here is your chance. There are in-person local ostomy support groups and you can find yours at uoaa.org; mine in Minneapolis meets once a month and I have attended for 20 years and learned something new every time. Good luck and have fun.
Cplumber
Sep 06, 2022 3:51 am
AlexT
Sep 06, 2022 5:43 am
I tried to go to a meeting last December, but their December meeting (Xmas party) was canceled due to lack of interest. I haven't looked into going again since they say their meetings are in the evening, and I'm working then.
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elwick
Sep 06, 2022 6:58 am
Hi, in the UK there are very many local groups. Google Colostomy Association or Ileostomy Association and you will find information on local groups in your area. I suspect that other countries have similar groups.
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ron in mich
Sep 06, 2022 12:59 pm
The last I heard, the nearest group is a 2-hour drive for me, so I've just been winging it on my own other than being on this site and the uoaa.org site.
w30bob
Sep 06, 2022 3:59 pm
Your local hospital should have a monthly (or quarterly) newsletter they publish and send out. In there should be a list of support groups for various things, and usually an ostomy group will be listed. The UOAA site list doesn't seem to be updated very often. I went to the group they had listed back when I first got my ostomy in 2014. Turned out to be an hour plus of old ladies bragging about where they've traveled with their ostomies since the last meeting. Would have rather watched the Redskins get their butts kicked, like they usually do every weekend. Not saying they're all bad, but I've called and emailed the gal listed on the UOAA for the group in my area.........and she never replies. So you may have to do a little more searching..........and if you come up empty consider forming your own group! With social media today it should be pretty easy. There's a good number of ostomy sites around, so unless you live in the boonies......you should be able to find an ostomate or two to play tag with.
:o)
Bob
Getting Support in the Ostomy Community with LeeAnne Hayden | Hollister
Past Member
Sep 06, 2022 9:06 pm
Thanks! And in Canada, you can find local support groups on the Ostomy Canada Society website. https://www.ostomycanada.ca/