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| EOS is an independent non-profit-making national association registered in Madrid, based in Jávea. We currently comprise 6 nationalities. We are dedicated to the support of all ostomists in Spain, resident and visitors, but with our focus on the expatriates in view of the particular problems they face.
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Explanatory Notes:
An ostomist is someone who has undergone abdominal/ pelvic surgery either on the digestive or urinary tract, or both. Most frequently, the operations follow serious illness, predominantly cancer, and are lifesaving. Over 90% of ostomists have or have had bowel cancer or a related disease.
To explain briefly, during surgery, a new opening is created in the body wall to allow the waste to be expelled. The body is often heavily disfigured in more than one area. Because normal function is no longer possible, output cannot be controlled and prostheses such as pouches must be worn at all times. The ostomist's lifestyle changes and, during the rehabilitation period and even longer, problems arise with the bags, with the body image, clothing, and possible leaks of faeces, urine or odour. Normally, the condition is life long. Unfortunately it is frequently misunderstood and has a stigma. The subject is not openly discussed and the patient may become reclusive.
Our group started in 1997 with the objective of mutual support and the opportunity to assist others. We now have an office and a dedicated help-line and a newsletter.
We run an expanding system of local groupings of ostomists through which we provide local support to members ('ostomates') and to their carers. We all are all in need of it sometimes. There is a social side to the organisation and we work hard to raise funds to support our projects. Starting this year, we have been able to offer token financial support to members who find themselves in need. However, the underlying objective remains mutual support.
We are not medically qualified but we offer to ostomists the benefit of our considerable experience as an ongoing consultancy, particularly when a patient does not have access to a professional stoma-care nurse (in Spanish, an 'estomaterapeuta' or 'ET'). There are many ostomists who have little or no help or information after their surgery - even as to the procurement of their supplies.
EOS has members in many but not all parts of Spain. Also, it has good links abroad, and has a seat on the World Council of the International Ostomy Association which in many countries works alongside the national cancer organisations. We are in communication with the UK Cancer charities, and are a part of the Junta of the Spanish Federation of Ostomy Associations (FEDAO).
See the following sections in this website for further information.
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