Why was the Ostomy Support Group of Southern Indiana formed? The short answer is, there wasn’t an ostomy support group (known) between Indianapolis, IN and Louisville, KY. The long answer is a story to be told at another time by the President of the group, as it is his to tell.
The fact is:
Between 725,000 and 1 million Americans are living with an ostomy, and approximately 100,000 new life-saving ostomy surgeries are performed annually in the United States. (ostomy.org)
So, there were bound to be (other) ostomates and persons living with a continent diversion in Southern Indiana. They may not have been looking for a support group per se, but they were most likely looking for answers and for help.
Out of blind faith that someone would show up to a meeting, the first one was held Sunday, October (?) 2024.
OUR MISSION
Ostomy Support Group of Southern Indiana promotes quality of life for people with ostomies and continent diversions through information, support, advocacy and collaboration.
OUR PURPOSE
The Ostomy Support Group of Southern Indiana supports, empowers, and advocates for people who have had or who will have ostomy or continent diversion surgery in Southern Indiana and beyond.
The Ostomy Support Group of Southern Indiana [EIN: 39-4940139] is an Affiliated Support Group [ASG #589] of and under the Group Exemption of the United Ostomy Associations of America, Inc. (UOAA), a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization of New Jersey.