09/02/2026
The Ostomy is What You Have, Not Who You Are π
I want to introduce you to David.
At eighteen months old, David was diagnosed with Ulcerative Colitis. He lived with it for sixteen and a half years before having ileostomy surgery at eighteen. For a long time, he felt ashamed. He hid his ostomy from everyone.
Then at thirty-five, his kids begged him to jump in the pool. He did!! And the only thing that happened was he got wet. π
That moment changed everything. He found a support group. He found community. He eventually became President of the UOAA and spent forty-eight years helping other ostomates. ππΌ
David's message: "The ostomy is what you have. It is NOT who you ARE."
People don't care that you have an ostomy. They care about who you are as a person. Your kindness. Your heart. Your character.
If you're struggling, know this: you're going to be okay. You're going to find your community. You're going to thrive. You don't have to do this alone.
π Read David's full story on nascent4u.com. Then find a support group near you. Your community is waiting.