WA Ostomy Association

22/09/2025

💪 🏃‍♀️

💪✨ NBR Spotlight: Vex ✨💪

Our community has always been built on grit, resilience, and heart – and no one embodies that more than Vex.

As one of the original NBR crew, Vex has been rolling with us since the Brisbane Entertainment Centre derby days. Recently, she faced one of her biggest challenges yet: undergoing surgery for a permanent ileostomy.

But if you know Vex, you know nothing keeps her down for long. With that unstoppable fighting spirit, she’s not only back on her skates – she’s back on track, playing derby again.

We couldn’t be prouder of her courage, strength, and determination. Vex, you inspire us all every time you roll out. 💜🖤



📷 c/o Richard Tompsett

19/09/2025

How often do you experience leaks or the dreaded blow out? We want you to be able to go through life without panicking about when your bag will leak, so it's important that you seek help if leaking is an issue for you.

Occasional leakage can be expected, especially if there is a temporary change of circumstances. Things like antibiotics or illnesses can temporarily change how your stoma is behaving.

Frequent leakage often means that something isn't quite working with your set up. With more than 3,500 products on the stoma appliance scheme there is no one size fits all approach, and there are endless solutions with the help of your stoma nurse.

If you experience increased leakage it is a good idea to contact your STN at the hospital where you had your surgery, or if you don’t have a hospital STN our STNs at WAOA can help even if rural or remote

18/09/2025

For me, not to be hyper alert where the toilets are as I no longer have urgency or pain

Tell us your positive changes in the comments below! 👇

16/09/2025

14/09/2025

11/09/2025

💛 R U OK? Day 💛
Because a conversation can change a life.
Today is R U OK? Day, a reminder to check in with the people around us – friends, family, and our ostomy community.
Living with an ostomy can be incredibly challenging – physically, emotionally, and socially. Whether you're newly adjusting, years down the track, or supporting someone who lives with an ostomy, it’s okay to not be okay sometimes.
So today, we’re encouraging everyone in this group to reach out with a simple:
“R U OK?”
And if the answer is “No,” that’s okay too. This is a safe space, and you’re not alone.
🫶 To our fellow ostomates:
You are brave. You are strong. And you are seen.
Let’s support each other – not just today, but every day.
Drop a 💛 in the comments if you're here to listen, share, or just be part of a community that cares.

07/09/2025

To the Dads in our ostomy community
Whether you're living with an ostomy, supporting a loved one through their journey, or raising awareness and strength every day, today we celebrate you. Your courage, resilience, and love do not go unnoticed.
Thank you for showing the world that strength comes in many forms — and for being an example of what it means to live life with dignity, humor, and heart.
Wishing you a day full of appreciation and love. You deserve it.
Hope you all had a great day!
🍻

04/09/2025

Narrogin 2nd & 3rd September 2025

What a fabulous time of year to visit the wheatbelt with the seas of yellow canola fields- it didn’t disappoint.

Thanks to Rural Health West we ran an evening 2 hr education session in stoma care to 10 health care professionals which included 3 GPs. Many thanks also to Lorraine one of our local ostomates who very bravely came in and demonstrated changing her colostomy bag.

Four ostomates were seen in the STN clinic the following day which was followed by the quarterly support group which was attended by 13. We welcomed two new ostomates and one ostomate to be, its wonderful to see the fantastic friendships being formed. Thank you once again to Bev for the wonderful cake and delicious slice.

The end of the year is fast approaching and plans are now underway to visit Kununurra mid October. Please contact info@waostomy.org.au for further information.

03/09/2025

Have you ever wondered why we encourage members to have a month's worth of supplies in reserve when ordering?

The warehouses for all the major suppliers of ostomy goods are in the eastern states. This means that anything we require for our 4000+ members needs to find its way across the country, usually taking at least 1 week.

In addition to this, the products are not manufactured in Australia (with a couple of small exceptions). This means that issues with international shipments can also lead to delayed supply.

While we make every effort to have enough products on hand to deliver orders quickly, we only have limited space, and can only fulfil orders as fast as we receive the supplies.

We also understand that newer members won't have had the opportunity to build up their supply of products - if you are worried about this early on it is worth having a chat to your stoma nurse about how to build a backup supply.

Please keep this in mind if your supplies are delayed - we are always working our hardest to ensure you get what you need.

27/08/2025

21/08/2025

📚Book Week! 🏫
This week, many Australian primary schools have seen students and teachers dressing up as characters from their favourite books. Did you know there are Ostomy-themed storybooks available? Are there any more you know of?