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one’s back in the bottom of the vessel – to the raucous delight of dive mates. Having my stoma and bag visible to my dive friends was awkward at first, but once they observed that I am capable of doing everything myself they are unquestionably understanding, and in true Aussie spirit are there to help if needed. This may not be the same when diving with strangers, but that scenario is more often encountered on larger charters – in larger groups being discreet and not attracting attention can sometimes be easier. In the tropics, when I dive with a ‘stinger suit’ (lycra), I use a pliable, skin-coloured, gut belt to gently hold and hide the stoma area. Handling my dive gear is a point for careful attention. On charters I usually have some assistance, but when with my mates I lug tote bags, tanks and weight belts. All of these are heavy and require caution against over-exertion, especially with a light build. I generally understand the rhythm of my stoma and can predict when after eating I will next see its output. I plan meal times where possible and this helps to generally ensure not to arrive back at the boat looking like a 3 kg puffer fish is trapped under my wet suit! This is not a physical problem (my one-piece bags always stay adhered), just one of a bevy of Aussie mates ‘taking the mickey’. In summary I hope this information gives new ostomates, who may be either former or would-be new divers, the courage and reassurance to scuba dive. Importantly, check with your STN and/or specialist first, as ostomates vary infinitesimally, but there are certainly some who are not precluded from diving – I truly hope that you are one of them – there is a beautiful world to explore beneath the waves and that is a tonic in itself. DEVELOPMENT OF STN DATABASE TOOL In conjunction with the AASTN Education & Professional Development Committee, ConvaTec is currently developing a database tool for use by stomal therapy nurses. * Goal: To develop a national standard data collection tool for stomal therapy nursing. * Expected Outcomes: A standardised national tool for stomal therapy nurses to collect data to support nursing interventions and promote best practice. The database was launched in March 2007 at the AASTN 36 th Annual Conference in Wollongong, NSW. Bowel Group for Kids Incorporated Caring for children with congenital Hirschsprung’s disease or ano-rectal malformations 2007 Conference ‘Beyond the Horizon’ When: Saturday 20 October 2007 Time: 10.00 am – 3.30 pm Where: Sydney Children’s Hospital Lecture Theatre, Level One High Street, Randwick NSW 2031 Keynote Address – Duncan Armstrong Genetics & Research – Prof David Croaker Workshops for parents (and children, depending on numbers) Videoconferencing to all eastern seaboard Australian states and New Zealand Web: www.bgk.org.au Email: conf@bgk.org.au Tel: Julie on 02 9499 8642 28 JOURNAL OF STOMAL THERAPY AUSTRALIA 2007 27(3)
YOU Inc President’s report March 2006 – Feb 2007 Margaret Allan • President, YOU Inc Young Ostomates United Inc (YOU) was established in 1989 to cater for the specific needs and concerns of young ostomates. We operate from Melbourne, Victoria, Australia, but often handle enquiries from other places in Australia and even from overseas via our website. As in previous years, the YOU group had several gatherings and meetings during 2006 for the benefit of the members. The year started with our Annual General Meeting when I assumed the role of president, and at which a calendar of events for the year was outlined. In June 2006, YOU hosted an open forum with Northern Hospital Ostomy Support Group, providing the opportunity for all members to come along and share and discuss concerns and issues relating to a stoma. Approximately forty people of all ages gathered on the day and lots of discussion ensued. The initial forum was followed by refreshments, which gave people the opportunity to talk more informally in small groups. This was followed in August by a session of ‘YOU Talk’. We hold this style of meeting from time in an effort to provide a smaller, more private environment for young people to express and discuss issues that they are not comfortable voicing in a larger group. We have found the YOU Talk format to be very valuable over the years and this one was no different. A wide range of topics was discussed, like relationships, partners, travelling, living away from home, the work environment etc. The feedback on the day was very positive and many of the members gained a great deal of support and encouragement from the experience. Again in conjunction with the Northern Hospital Ostomy Support Group, YOU hosted a community awareness event for World Ostomy Day on 7 October 2006. This was preceded on Friday 6 October by an information display in Block Arcade in the Melbourne CBD where a range of resources and information relating to stomas, inflammatory bowel disease and cancer were available. The stand was manned by volunteers and generated a lot of interest from the community. On Saturday 7 October, 90 – 100 YOU members and friends gathered in Brunswick to hear a range of guest speakers providing information on medical and stomal therapy ostomy issues from both a local and global perspective. The YOU group held a fashion parade to demonstrate that ‘ostomate’ does not necessarily mean ‘fashion victim’; it is possible to be current, trendy and stylish with a stoma. This helped to allay the fears of many new members who thought they would need to replace their whole wardrobe and never be able to wear jeans again! The World Ostomy Day community awareness presentation was a very big undertaking for both support groups and demanded much organisation by the committee formed especially for the purpose. The feedback on the day and after the event was extremely supportive and encouraging, with comments like ‘outstanding’ and ‘most impressive and best organised’. The value of these gatherings cannot be quantified, but whenever YOU meets socially or more formally for meetings etc, the benefit to the members is undeniable. At the more formal gatherings it is often after the formalities that people gather to chat in small groups where they are comfortable discussing personal issues and concerns. Many new members gain a great deal from talking openly with more experienced ostomates about matters that might not be easily discussed with friends or family – they often leave smiling and with a lighter step, having discovered that there is a great deal of life to be lived with a stoma. In 2006 Coloplast established a competition for each region of the world to submit a story on their achievements on World Ostomy Day to win US$2,500.00. So of course we entered! A narrative was compiled, together with a series of photographs taken at our community awareness day. In February 2007 we received notification of $1,000 in funding from the Department of Human Services (DHS) in Victoria, via their Health Self-Help Funding Program. The DHS recognises the vital role self-help groups play in both the health system and community, and funding is provided to assist groups such as YOU in their endeavours to support and exchange information with members. The DHS funding is most welcome and we are currently assessing the reprinting of many of our YOU brochures and pamphlets, the cost of which cannot always be met from membership fees alone. This material is a widely distributed resource that is often requested by medical, stomal and other health professionals. We are also planning to produce a more professional journal that will be distributed to new members as a means of providing support and encouragement during a challenging time. Our newest resource ‘Fashion Tips’ (developed in conjunction with the fashion parade held on World Ostomy Day) will also be produced in a more professional format for distribution. YOU also has a well-established visiting service that has been operating since inception of the support group. The service aims to ‘match’ people undergoing surgery with well-adjusted ostomates with a similar background, ie ileostomy, colostomy, married, single, male, female etc. At times it is not possible to conduct a personal visit, so much of our ‘visiting’ occurs via telephone. Fortunately, this fulfils a the function of providing support and information to the new ostomate and we have received wonderful feedback from this service. Often the contact is ongoing, with the internet also being used as a means of keeping in touch. Once again it was a big twelve months for the YOU group! The membership base has grown and attendance at each of our meetings has increased. A lot of work goes on behind the scenes of a volunteer organisation such as this and we on the YOU committee are constantly encouraged by the positive feedback we receive, with the genuine appreciation and thanks for the support and services we provide. We hope that in 2007 we can continue to update and expand our resources, share our knowledge with others, and support both new and existing members as they travel the path of life as an ostomate. To contact YOU, visit our website www.vicnet.net.au/~youinc or contact Helen on (03) 9796 6623. JOURNAL OF STOMAL THERAPY AUSTRALIA 2007 27(3) 29
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Page 3 and 4: President’s report It’s our AAS
Page 5 and 6: Challenges of managing a retracted
Page 7 and 8: S c i e n c e • S o l u t i o n s
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Page 13 and 14: The Elinor Kyte Research Grant Aust
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