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Why a support group?
Ostomy
surgery can cause feelings of hopelessness, loneliness, shame, depression
and isolation. The cause of
these feelings is complex and so is the solution. When you feel like doing nothing,
you need to DO SOMETHING. No matter what the problem, you
have to help yourself; there is no one who can do it for you. Facing the unknown is daunting,
but knowing there are people to talk to, people who have gone through what
you are experiencing, can make these changes less frightening. Our ostomy support group is just that. We share experiences, both good and bad, and ways we
have dealt with them. These
suggestions may give you some ideas how to solve your problem but, that is
where the YOU doing something
comes in. |
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The Ostomate's Bill
of Right'sIt is the objective of the International Ostomy
Association that all ostomates shall have the right to a satisfactory
quality of life after surgery and that this charter shall be realized in
all countries of the world. |
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The Ostomate Shall:
Receive preoperative counseling to ensure that they are fully aware
of the benefits of the operation and the essential facts about living with
a stoma.
Have
a well-constructed stoma placed at an appropriate site, and with full and
proper consideration to the comfort of the patient.
Receive experienced and
professional medical support and stoma nursing care in the preoperative
and postoperative period both in hospital and in their
community.
Receive full and impartial information about all relevant supplies
and products available in their country.
Have the opportunity to choose
from the available variety of ostomy management products without prejudice
or constraint.
Be given information about their National Ostomy Association and
the services and support
which can be provided.
Receive support and information
for the benefit of the family, personal careers, and friends to increase
their understanding of the conditions and adjustments, which are necessary
for achieving a satisfactory standard of life with a
stoma.
Receive assurance that personal information regarding ostomy surgery
will be treated with discretion and confidentiality to maintain
privacy.
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Issued
by the IOA
Coordination Committee June1993.
Revised June1997 and
April 2003. |
