Happy new year to everyone and your families! I hope 2024 is as good (or better!) than 2023. As I look back on this past year I can honestly say that I'm happy with the direction Ostomy Toronto is headed. In 2023, we donated to the two food banks, as well as Mount Sinai Hospital; we helped fund the development of a short film about living with an ostomy (check out the trailer here) that will be out later this year; we also helped fund The International Fashion Encounter fashion show in Toronto that showcases people with ostomies.

All of our other programs are still running throughout 2024 if you have a child or know of anyone under 18 with any type of ostomy, we will help pay for a day camp of your choice. For example: figure skating camp, baseball camp, or anything else. 

We also still have funds set aside for the Ostomy Canada Youth Camp - unfortunately last summer there were no kids from Toronto that went. This is something we offer every year, so if you know of any youth living with an ostomy please pass the word along. Ostomy Toronto will continue in this direction as well as support our community in any way we can. 

Including our monthly zoom meetings:

Open Forum/Peer Support Meeting January 16 at 7:30pm

Recently McKin Health sent me some samples of Marlen Ostomy Pouches. I use 1 piece so
that's what I was sent. Amy from McKin Health told me that they are very much similar to the big 3 companies we're used to. My review of the Marlen 1-piece shallow and deep convex overall a very good product; all my samples lasting 7 days with no issues, I could not feel the flange on my skin (which is very important for me). To me, these are a good alternative and similar to the great products other companies have. I'm not sure on pricing, but you can order from myostomy.ca and they'll be happy to help you with any questions you may have.

I'm enjoying the nice weather these last few weeks, but hopefully we don't get too much snow to make up for it!

I hope everyone has a healthy and happy 2024.

Thanks for your support,
Jim Fitzgerald
President
Ostomy Toronto

Adapted from a novel written by Ontario author and ostomate, Raimo Strangis, Stuck is a short film by Stagg Forrest Films, a female-run production company in Toronto: 

"A life altering surgery has Rai shutting himself off from the world and giving up his dreams. Little does he know that now is the time he needs people and music the most."

Awhile back we featured Raimo, who had recently finished writing his novel, With Little Means. The main character has an ostomy, and while the story retells the early obstacles that Raimo himself had faced with colitis, ultimately the tale takes a fictional turn along the way:  

  “My name is Raimo Strangis, I am an author and songwriter living in Innisfil, Ontario. I was a sufferer of Ulcerative Colitis for over ten years. I say was, because I finally made the difficult decision to have Ostomy surgery, and I have to tell you, I couldn't be happier. Back in my early twenties I was an aspiring musician touring the Toronto music scene. My colitis was so severe, I had to give up on my musical dreams. For ten long years, I tried all the medications I could, stubbornly avoiding my surgery because of the stigma of being someone with "a bag". But with the support of my family and friends, I decided I couldn't live that way anymore, and decided to do it. It was the best decision of my life. I no longer had to avoid trips or outings with friends, I no longer had to know where all the bathrooms were at all times, and my anxiety and depression has diminished. Writing is my new passion, and in my latest novel, the main character has an ostomy. The story depicts my early colitis obstacles, then takes a wonderful fictional turn and I get to relive my rock star dreams. I wrote this book to inspire others to always follow their dreams and to shine a light on the stigma of our disease. I am always available to chat if anyone is suffering the way I did and just needs someone that can relate.”

The Teaser-Trailer for Stuck can be viewed here