Hello Beachboy. Thanks for your post describing your hernia and prolapsed stoma. Your description could fit mine precisely. However, I have adopted a different solution to a protruding stoma. Basically, I have decide to 'protect' it with a DIY device made from a skin moisturising container with a rounded lid. the screw part of the container is fixed to my baseplate(also DIY), and the lid screws onto it, both protecting it and with the insertion of some toilet paper, catches the small amount of output I may have during the day.
I must admit that people staring or even commenting on what I wear or what I look like does not phase me at all. This is because, if their comments are empathetic , I express gratitude, and if they are critical, I go into a sort of 'bully-exposure' mode, and explain to them exactly what their comments and behaviour actually mean in 'real' terms.
What I have found is that Bullies are often reluctant to admit that this is what they are doing because they will likely be perceived negatively.
So far, I have had almost 100percent apologetic responses to my bully-exposure repartee. However, I am fully aware that there will be one or two who may take exception and increase their bullying to the physical level. On one such occasion (when threatened physically), this escalation was dissipated by my calmly stating (truthfully) that "The last time someone attacked me physically, I put them in hospital for 28 days, are you willing to take your chances on that score?." The potential attacker stared at me for a few moments and decided that they had something better to do. (Please note: I probably would not try this in the US as it seems that potential attackers/bullies are just as likely to pull out a gun and shoot you.)
Of course, what my potential assailant did not know, was that the hospitalisation of that attacker was the result of a Mental Health Act assessment, rather than a physical retaliation. It's all about 'how' you say things, as well as what you say!
Best wishes
Bill
