"My parents say to me now that their biggest worry about the surgery was that someday I would turn around and say to them "why did you let them do this to me?" I never have."
Shaz was just 10 years old when her parents had to make the decision for her to undergo ileostomy surgery.
Now an adult she says
"I have to say that whilst I would, of course, prefer not to have an ileostomy, I am greatful for every day of life my stoma has given back to me and do not regret it for one minute."
Read her story here:
Shaz's story

The Guide is split into Chapters, which are designed read like a book, or as individual essays. The majority of the guide is also available to read offline from the downloads page on Ostomyland.

Jason welcomes emails if you have comments about the guide, or suggestions on future chapters.

This link takes you directly to the following Chapter
Ostomyland Lifestyle Guide – Sex & Pregnancy

The Guide is split into Chapters, which are designed read like a book, or as individual essays. The majority of the guide is also available to read offline from the downloads page on Ostomyland.

Jason welcomes emails if you have comments about the guide, or suggestions on future chapters.

This link takes you directly to the following Chapter
Ostomyland Lifestyle Guide – Relationships

The Guide is split into Chapters, which are designed read like a book, or as individual essays. The majority of the guide is also available to read offline from the downloads page on Ostomyland.

Jason welcomes emails if you have comments about the guide, or suggestions on future chapters.

This link takes you directly to the following Chapter
Ostomyland Lifestyle Guide – Returning to Work

The Guide is split into Chapters, which are designed read like a book, or as individual essays. The majority of the guide is also available to read offline from the downloads page on Ostomyland.

Jason welcomes emails if you have comments about the guide, or suggestions on future chapters.

This link takes you directly to the following Chapter
Ostomyland Lifestyle Guide – Sports & Swimming

Young Ostomates United (YOU) Inc was formed in October 1989, originally under the name "Young Ostomy United".
We are a non-profit organisation that aims to encourage support and friendship between young people with a stoma, their families and friends and to provide resource material to both new and well-established ostomates.
Our activities include regular informal social gatherings (counter lunches, BBQs, picnics, etc.), educational meetings, provision of a peer counselling (visiting) service for people about to undergo ostomy surgery (pre and post operative), the support of ostomy projects – World Ostomy Day, Stomal Therapy Week, etc. – and liaising with Ostomy Associations
Membership of YOU Inc. caters essentially for young ostomates from the approximate ages of 0 to 40 years, their family and friends, health professionals and for those interested in the young ostomates' well being.
Young Ostomates United Inc.

Young IA aims to support the association’s younger members, and other young people, either pre-surgery or post-surgery, who undergo either an ileostomy or an internal pouch operation.

The Young IA co-ordinator serves on the association’s National Executive Committee to represent the interest of its young members. It is the responsibility of this person to identify the needs of those young members and ensure that IA is meeting those needs. At present IA’s young members are defined as those under the age of 40.

Young IA organises an annual social weekend when all young members are invited to join together to share experiences and make new friends. This is open to everyone.

Young ia

A forum for discussing issues relevant to ostomates and people with diversions between the ages of 18 and 30 (or so).
Discussion Board

"Following the dissolution of the UOA, the Young Adult Network changed their name to Y.O.D.A.A. (Young Ostomate and Diversion Alliance of America), and became an affiliated support group of the UOAA. We continue to offer support, education, advocacy, and fun to those between the ages of 18 and 30(ish) who have or may have bowel or bladder diversionary surgery."
Y.O.D.A.A. (Young Ostomate and Diversion Alliance of America)

Please ask any ostomy questions you like! We’re here to help.
Shaz’s Ostomy Pages – Main Forum