The Bag of Life: The Filipino Ostomates

 

In a country where there is so little awareness about having a colostomy bag, there is so much misconception and wrong information that circulates in mainstream society. This is only a secondary consideration since wearing a colostomy bag is not a way to feed on the curiosity of people. The initial reaction of many people is varied. Some get so surprised and curious while others get so excited making it such a big deal. On the other hand, there are some who knows how to empathize in understanding such conditions. In one-way or another, I believe that the latter have similar stories to share.

It boils down to positive information that brings awareness. This is the bigger story. In order to send the correct signal and strong consciousness to other people is for ostomates to support each other and strengthen one’s ranks. It is very sad for people having the bag to think so little of one self when the possibilities for a quality of life is still one and the same. I encountered people who have fallen desperately to depression because of the inability to accept having a bag. It was not colon cancer that took away his life but the depression and the feeling of disgrace. It is the opportunity presented in the celebration of World Ostomy Day to celebrate new life. It is the bag that saved lives.

Whenever I get the chance to attend speaking engagements during a lay forum with ostomates and doctors alike, I always say in my opening statement that having the bag is not that bad at all. One of the perks we enjoy is that we no longer have to rush and run when we have to use the toilet. This will send smiles to the faces of ostomates but I go deeper to my message. It has been for a long time that society dictates how unacceptable a colostomy bag can be. This time around we are here to disprove that it is not the colostomy bag that runs our life. In fact, we control our life and it is not the other way around. There have been a lot of success stories that ostomates have achieved and trials overcomed that tells the world “yes we can”. October too is breast awareness month but it has more appeal and acceptance than ostomy awareness. Both are diseases that battle cancer but the latter does not enjoy good billing in society. Yet, ostomates grab this second chance to life proving to inspire others and spread awareness.

When World Ostomy Day is celebrated in the Philippines, I get the chance to meet ostomates from different parts of the country. At first, 6 years ago after my surgery, I felt so isolated and alone that I might be the only person with this kind of special condition. I never thought that there were “others” too. I have started building support groups in different hospitals and lo and behold, there have been a few who have courageously responded to join and step forward.  I have also established the National Federation of Ostomates of the Philippines with the help of some friends. I realized there are a lot more who are a special lot with this kind of special condition. It takes a lot of work and initiative to invite people with a personal touch to create self-supporting groups where ostomates help ostomates. It is not a far-fetched vision but a doable one. It will take time but very achievable. The partnership we built with the Department of Health in supporting the advocacy of building ostomy support group for patients has been well supported by Chief of Hospitals and the Surgery Departments and above all the Secretary of Health Dr. Enrique T. Ona himself. We open our lines to continue this advocacy to reach out to poor and indigent ostomates empowering them that life is good, training them to assist and counsel fellow ostomates, and cover the whole islands of the Philippines to announce that having a bag is an extension of life. Copyright (c) (Ronaldo Lora) October 15, 2012