That was the recent news from London. In a week when so much sadness and unrest has hit our country and reverberated around the world, this story has certainly captured my attention. I compare the events because so much HAS HAD to be, fighting for injustice and equality HAS HAD to happen…but THIS does NOT!
Thank you to fellow Ostomate Sherri, who sent along the news, and I have been in touch with Susan Burns, President of the United Ostomy Associations of America (UOAA) to get a sense of perspective on this. Here are the details: a 34 year old man who has struggled with bowel issues has asked and received permission from a London judge to be allowed to die as a result of needing what may be a temporary ostomy. He asks, “How can I get a job? How can I get a woman with a stoma?” How incredibly sad that his self-esteem and confidence is so eroded by his perception of his new physicality that he has chosen to die? He said the stoma “ran entirely contrary to his perception of who he is, and is corrosive to his self-esteem.” This is chilling to my bones, that a man described as a star student, hard-working, handsome and respected by his colleagues can be so vulnerable to what is his opportunity to save his life, not destroy it! Where has his self-esteem gone, and what can we do to insure this remains a very remote possibility for all of us?
As you know from my blog, I am so grateful each and every day for the life my stoma, Lily, has provided me. As we say in the UOAA, “OSTOMIES ARE LIFESAVERS” and most of the million people living in the United States will agree. We are living full and productive lives, our ostomies not defining us but allowing us that ability. Without our ostomies, we are held captive by bodies that cannot possibly fulfill our dreams, goals or accomplishments.
I vow to continue to do all that is possible to eliminate the stigma that would drive a vibrant young man to end his life because he cannot cope with his new anatomy. As a leader of three Support Groups, I aim to provide emotional support and quality of life advice so none feel lost or hopeless. Please join me on October 3, 2020 as we promote Ostomy Awareness Day, and the most valuable message that ”OSTOMIES ARE LIFESAVERS!”
I am in need of opinions from people who have the j pouch As to whether they would opt for an ileostomy versus copping day to day with excoriated skin, swelling, pain, and yeast infections. It is the kind of life I am living that seems to be my normal way of living as these complications never disappear for long periods of time.