Triangle Area Ostomy Association

Hi everyone! Your experience really matters when it comes to keeping patients safe and making sure people can get the supplies they rely on. The United Ostomy Associations of America (UOAA) is asking anyone who uses ostomy or catheter supplies to take a quick survey called “Keeping Me Safe: A Survey About Access to Ostomy and Catheter Supplies.”

They're trying to get a better sense of:
- Whether people can actually get the supplies they need
- If those supplies are working the way they should
- What happens when supplies are delayed or switched out

Taking part is totally voluntary, and your answers will stay anonymous. The results will only be shared in summary form with Congress and Medicare officials to help protect access to medically necessary supplies. There’s also a chance the findings could be published in a medical journal.

This survey is all about your real-life experience, and your input can make a difference.

If you have a few minutes, please fill it out here: https://www.ostomy.org/take-a-survey/

UOAA thanks you so much for your support!

Take A Survey - United Ostomy Associations of America Have a Question for Us? UOAA is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that supports, empowers, and advocates for people who have had or who will have ostomy or continent diversion surgery.

Diagnosed with Severe Crohn’s at 19, One Woman Is Changing How the World Sees Ostomies Through Fashion (Exclusive) After receiving a permanent ostomy as a teen, Paula Sojo began designing stylish covers to help others feel confident — and Osto•me Fashion was born.

Call your Representatives! More info below.

UOAA is urging you to contact your U.S. House Representative and ask them to sign-on to a letter by Congressman Chris Smith seeking a delay in implementing the Medicare Competitive Bidding Program (CBP) for ostomy and urological supplies. The letter to Dr. Oz at CMS is expected to close on March 6, so please take action TODAY! Learn more- https://www.ostomy.org/take-action/

Hi everyone! The UOAA is inviting patients to attend the next Ostomy Academy session. Belinda Wurn, PT, and Larry Wurn, LMT and CEO of Clear Passage® Therapies, will be joining the UOAA to talk about their non‑surgical, drug‑free approach to treating adhesions. Both have been through major surgeries themselves, and they’ll share how their therapy helps ease pain and improve function for people dealing with issues like infertility, bowel obstructions, and post‑surgical discomfort.

Adhesions are the body’s natural “glue” after surgery, but sometimes they tighten or twist the bowel, creating strictures that make it hard for food to move through. This can lead to small bowel obstructions that ostomy patients experience sometimes regularly, which are not only painful but can also require hospital stays.

During this session, you’ll get a clear, easy‑to‑understand look at what adhesions are, why they form, and how the Wurns developed a hands‑on method to release them without surgery. Their work is supported by peer‑reviewed research and recognized by medical professionals.

If you haven’t registered yet, you can still do it now to get updates, links, and reminders before the event that is being held on Tuesday, February 17 at 8:00 pm ET (7:00 pm CT, 6:00 pm MT, 5:00 pm PT). The presentation is titled, "Decreasing Adhesions and Bowel Obstructions Naturally".

You can tune in through a special YouTube link or watch on Facebook Live, where you’ll be able to comment and ask questions in real time. If you can’t join live, the recording will stay available on both platforms and on the Ostomy Academy webpage. Here is a link to register:

Ostomy Academy. Education for Every Ostomate UOAA Presents Ostomy Academy! A quarterly online educational seminar to bring trusted and comprehensive ostomy information to all members of the ostomy community. Top experts, medical professionals, and experienced ostomates will focus on a new series of quality of life topics in each presentation.

Convatec surveyed nearly 1,000 people living with a stoma across nine countries to get a better sense of what day-to-day life is really like.
Here’s what they shared:
- 70% said it took more than six months to feel fairly confident managing their stoma.
- 86% experienced emotional challenges after surgery, like worrying about leaks, lower self-confidence, or feelings of anxiety or depression.
- 94% reported physical challenges, including skin issues and managing odor.
Everyone’s recovery journey looks a little different, but there are some proven tips that can make the process easier. Convatec's guide, Finding Your Footing, offers practical, supportive advice to help with both physical recovery and emotional well-being.
You’re not alone in this and you don’t have to figure it out by yourself.
https://www.convatec.com/ostomy-care/meplus-patient-support/finding-your-footing-after-ostomy-surgery/?utm_source=convatec&utm_medium=em&utm_campaign=meplus-findingyourfooting&utm_content=email-find_out_more-patient