Gut Together

Finding support

Consultant editor Luciana Podschun introduces the sixth issue of StomaTips with a celebration of ostomy support groups

No More Secrets: revealing India’s ostomates

Luciana Podschun interviews filmmaker Anisha Vijayan about what inspired No More Secrets, her film about life with a stoma in India

Living to tell the tale: forever ostomy heart

Diana Arango of the Ostomy Heart Foundation recounts her emotional stoma journey from despair to embracing love for herself and others

Purple Wings: supporting ostomates and promoting ostomy awareness

Lauren Henderson recalls how the Purple Wings charity began helping people with a stoma regain confidence and self-esteem

Urostomy Association: 50 years strong in 2021

Hazel Pixley celebrates nearly five decades of the Urostomy Association providing support for people with a urinary stoma

The Kingston Trust

Carolyn Stammers explains how people with an ileostomy or ileo‑anal pouch aged 16 and above can apply for financial support from the Kingston Trust CIO

Coronavirus: stoma care in a global pandemic

Stoma nurse Janaína Maria Felix, patient advocate Steve Cartmail and support group secretary David Bunger discuss how the COVID-19 pandemic has affected their lives

Editorial: Tut tut, Butlins

Man with a stoma barred from enjoying the attractions at a popular holiday resort with his ostomy pouch on show

The Bowel Cancer Recovery Toolkit: an extract

Sarah Russell presents the introduction to her new book on how to recover faster with activity, exercise and lifestyle

A stoma speaks

Tomas the Stoma has composed a few lines on what it is like to live with Clare Mee