I 've had my ileostomy for nearly 60 years....since I w as a teen of 15... An Aunt of mine had the surgery, and she assured me that " I wouldn't have to touch it", my mother could change it for me... Hmmm a very hands on / 4th year medical studeent on m y doctor's service, changed that immediately... He told me it was m y new " butt" my body, my responsibility.. He set me straight...and helped me out learning how to manage it.. The was 1965 before the days of stoma therapists.. I also had very supportive student nurses ( accross different shifts) who leaarned along with me and were a great support.. So when I got out of t he hospital, I was independent... At the time I was in a back brace, an d had to change in bed.. I just set up all m y supplies, and managed to cope... It was much easier a year later when the osteoporosis/ resolved itself and I got out of the back brace... The only other time I could have used some help ( but my then husband/ who also had an ileostomy refused to help) was in my 9th month of pregnancy, and my stoma was under my " not so big " belly... We set up a hangin g mirror, on the toilet, and I w as able to see... Back t hen, ostomates use to visit newby patients, to help them learn to manage on their own.. I did that for a long time,e specially with kids and teens.... I did it one handed for a year when I I had carpal tunnel in my right hand.. And I managed the one handed act again this year, when I had to have thumb surgery... Some t hings are a challenge, b ut I've been changing independently now for 60 yeaars....thanks to t hat first young dr... Best of luck to all...