I was fascinated by the report (Chronicle online, March 11) that waste disposal bins for boys are to be widely installed, to receive "incontinence pads, stomas and catheters". 

I am fortunate not to need a pad, nor do I have a catheter (though I have received one in hospital) but I do have a stoma. 

While I can understand pads have to be changed and disposed of, the mere thought of self-catheterisation requiring disposal in a bin brings tears to my eyes. 

And most ostomates plan outings in such a way as to avoid having to change the stoma bag while out and about, while draining a bag is a simple matter in any easy-access toilet. 

We ostomates know where to find them, that is part of the planning. Even disposal in the generally rare emergency is not that troublesome.

As regards the mental aspect (anxiety and stress about going out) of at least having a stoma, the members of our stoma support group show a resilience that might surprise, for example, Cllr Tod we may not like the hand we have drawn but we get on with it. As my lovely granddaughter commented, we all have a collection bag it's just that mine is inside and yours is outside.

I would be more than happy for Cllr Tod to come along to one of our coffee meetings where we rejoice in being here and being pain-free from previous gastro issues. I promise, no medical details!
In a word - we are not special, we are just different.

Michael Turner,
Boyne Mead Road,
Kings Worthy

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