Resident of the city for many years, Colleen Schalkwyk recently established a Stoma Support Group and invites persons affected by a colostomy or who are about to undergo a colostomy to attend a meeting at the Cansa Polokwane Care Centre (formerly the Theunis Fichardt Hospitium) on Wednesday at 18:00.
Schalkwyk realised that there was a need to provide information and counselling about this topic and also to comfort and support patients using stomas.
“There are so many misconceptions about this matter and with the appropriate support, their lives could be so much easier. I have been using a stoma since 1984 and it was always my dream to establish a support group. I recently met Tawanda Kanyungwe, a local stoma therapist practicing in the city and we will be leading the support group,” Schalkwyk explained. Kanyungwe will make a presentation during the proposed meeting and Schalkwyk said they intend extending the support groups to other centres outside the city.
Schalkwyk can be contacted on 064 757 4434 or at colleenstella.s.@gmail.com.
Story and photo: BARRY VILJOEN
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