Coping with a new ostomy presented by Coloplast® Care Live!

Michael Gerald will share his story, as well as his advice, about adjusting to a new ostomy and creating a mindset of acceptance. Michael will also use his experience as a licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor (CMHC-Utah), Certified Rehabilitation Counselor (CRC), and professor to explain common responses to living with a chronic illness or disability and delve into specifics around the adjustment to living with an ostomy.

You will also meet Elizabeth Collins, a Coloplast® Care Advisor. Beth has been an ostomy advisor and Coloplast employee for 11 years. She helps guide ostomates every day through their journey with intimate product and lifestyle needs using the Coloplast® Care program. Listen to real stories of how her mission to be a knowledgeable resource is making lives easier.
  • Definitions of chronic illness and disability (CID) as well as psychosocial adjustment to disability
  • The nature of CID experience
  • Common responses to CID
  • Hypothesized models of adjustment to CID
  • Unique considerations in psychosocial adjustment/response to ostomy surgery
  • Coloplast® Care: The connector that helps you transition from confusion after ostomy surgery to confidence.
  • 1620864634-f477efd48664c92d
    Michael Gerald
    PhD, CMHC (Utah), CRC, LMHC (Iowa)
    I have had a colostomy since I was 18 months old. Shortly after I was born, I developed a lymphangioma in my left buttock, which eventually perforated my rectum. My first ostomy was a transverse colostomy, and I had two stomas. At age 12, I had my ostomy moved to a sigmoid colostomy, which is what I have to this day. Adjusting to my ostomy has been a gradual and continual process. I identify as a Person with a Disability (PWD).
  • 1620864611-c02c263c98495872
    Elizabeth Collins
    Coloplast® Care Advisor
    I have been an ostomy advisor and Coloplast employee for 11 years. Every day I help guide ostomates through their journey with intimate product and lifestyle needs through the Coloplast® Care program. I am passionate about enabling ostomates to live the lives they want to live. Listen to real stories of how my mission to be a robust resource is making lives easier.
  • 1621459129-0dc2036b7743c89c
    Disclaimer
    The material shared within this webinar is based on the personal experience and learnings of the presenter. Coloplast has paid the presenter for sharing this information. Nothing within the webinar is intended to be used as medical advice and or used to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.

    This information is for educational purposes only. It is not intended to substitute for professional medical advice and should not be interpreted to contain treatment recommendations. You should rely on the healthcare professional who knows your individual history for personal medical advice and diagnosis.

    Call your healthcare provider if you have any medical concerns about managing your ostomy. You may also contact your Coloplast® Care Advisor for product usage and availability questions at 1-877-858-2656.