Stratford and District Ostomy Association support group looks back on 40 years

Members of the Stratford and District Ostomy chapter who recently gathered following their luncheon together. They include, in front row from left, Therese Newman, John Aarts, George Wicke, Marilyn Robinson and Janet Heinbuch. In the second row from left are Betty-Ann Brown, Susan Hamilton, Shirley Jones, Cathy Hutson, Dan Kerr, Rae Mavor and Ron Jones. Stratford and District Ostomy Association photo

By Gary West

There are many groups formed in Stratford and Perth County over the years that support those residents who need help in life.

We all know about support for Alzheimer’s, cancer, Parkinson’s, Multiple Sclerosis, Muscular Dystrophy and many more debilitating diseases, but perhaps the work of the Stratford and District Ostomy Association is less well known.

The ostomy association is a support group for people who had bowel or bladder surgery and now have a colostomy, ileostomy or urostomy.

They wear a disposable appliance (pouch) on the outside of their abdomen to collect either stool or urine. In Canada, there are an estimated 150,000 people living with an ostomy. There are 1.3 million people living with an ostomy around the world, and in Canada, about 13,000 new ostomy surgeries are performed every year.

The Stratford and District Ostomy Association was founded in October 1983 with the bare minimum support of 12 members.

The chapter became a registered entity in 1984, and now numbers over 30 members.

Ray and Sybil Rynor of Stratford were early leaders of the chapter and promoters in the community whenever they got a chance.

The volunteer-based group is dedicated to assisting people facing life with a temporary or permanent ostomy by providing information, assistance and emotional support.

This support is also provided to families and friends of those with an ostomy, and ultimately promotes a better public understanding of ostomies and related surgeries.

Janet Heinbuch from R.R.# 2 in Tavistock is an enterostomal therapist and has been president of the local chapter since 2004.

She encourages those who are interested in ostomy to come to their monthly meetings held at the Knights of Columbus Hall on Morgan Street in Stratford on the first Tuesday of each month except in July, August, January and February. There is a speaker arranged for each meeting, usually a health-care professional or representative of an ostomy product supplier or manufacturer.

All are welcome at the meetings.

Going forward, it is hoped the chapter will continue to provide the support greatly needed as evidenced by those who attend meetings from London, Goderich, Woodstock, Listowel, Exeter, Grand Bend, Tillsonburg and Strathroy.

Members say it is important to promote awareness and loosen the stigma of lifesaving procedures and ostomies.

For more information, email Heinbuch at jpheinbuch@outlook.com.