“What Would You Do?”
A Guide to Supporting Someone Living with a Stoma
As part of World Ostomy Day 2026, Crohn’s & Colitis Ireland is proud to launch "What Would You Do? A Guide to Supporting Someone Living with a Stoma", a practical and easy-to-read resource designed to increase understanding, challenge stigma and empower people to better support those living with a stoma.
Created by Victoria Spillane of Crohn’s & Colitis Ireland, IBD warrior and permanent ileostomate, this guide was developed from both professional and lived experience. It recognises that while healthcare professionals provide essential medical care, the support offered by family members, friends, colleagues, teachers, employers and communities can have a profound impact on a person's confidence, wellbeing and quality of life.
A stoma can be life-saving and life-changing. Yet many people are unfamiliar with what a stoma is or how best to support someone who has one. This guide seeks to bridge that gap by providing practical information, real life examples and simple actions that anyone can take to help create a more understanding and inclusive environment.
What's Included in the Guide?
The guide covers a range of topics, including:
- Understanding what a stoma is and why stoma surgery may be required.
- An overview of the different types of stomas, including ileostomies, colostomies and urostomies.
- Information on stoma care and the realities of everyday life with a stoma.
- Practical advice for parents, partners, friends, colleagues, grandparents and other supporters.
- Five key things everyone should know about living with a stoma.
- Guidance on the importance of asking,"How can I support you?" rather than making assumptions.
- Real-life scenarios that encourage readers to think about how they would respond when someone living with a stoma needssupport.
- Lydia O'Connell's inspiring story, demonstrating how kindness, dignity and understanding can make a significant differenceduring challenging moments.
- Information about the support services available through Crohn’s & Colitis Ireland.
Why This Guide Matters
Living with a stoma is about much more than managing a medical condition. It can impact confidence, relationships, education, employment, travel and many aspects of daily life. While physical recovery is important, emotional and social adjustment often takes longer.
By increasing awareness and understanding, we can help break down misconceptions, reduce stigma and ensure that people living with a stoma feel supported, respected and included in all aspects of life.
A Message from Victoria Spillane:
"As someone living with Crohn's disease and a permanent stoma myself, I know firsthand that a stoma can be both life-saving and life-changing. While surgery can restore health and quality of life, the support and understanding of thosearound us often plays a huge role in rebuilding confidence.
This guide was created to help people understand that they don't need medical training to make a difference. Sometimes the most meaningful support comes from listening, showing kindness, asking how you can help and simply treatingsomeone as the person they have always been.
My hope is that this resource encourages conversations, challenges stigma and helps create communities where nobodyliving with a stoma feels alone."
Download the Guide
We encourage people living with a stoma, their families, friends, workplaces, schools and wider communities to download and share "What Would You Do? A Guide to Supporting Someone Living with a Stoma". Together, we can build greater awareness, understanding and support for everyone affected by stoma surgery.
For more information on stoma support, online support groups and resources from Crohn’s & Colitis Ireland, please explore the remainder of the Stoma Support section of our website along with upcoming Events.