Topic Explanation:
The forum topic is about sharing experiences of meeting others with ostomies in person. The initial post asks how many people the participants have met in real life who also have an ostomy.

Advice and Insights:
- Meeting others with ostomies can be a rewarding and healing experience, providing support and understanding.
- Joining an ostomy support group or association can help in meeting and connecting with other ostomates.
- Local Ostomy Support Groups and organizations like the United Ostomy Association of America (UOAA) can help in finding and connecting with others who have ostomies.
- Having someone in real life who has gone through a similar experience can be crucial for emotional and psychological recovery.
- Some people have only met a few ostomates, while others have met many, but the support and understanding gained from these interactions are highly valued.
- It can feel lonely at times to be the only person around with an ostomy, but connecting with others who have similar experiences can be beneficial.
- Sharing experiences and comparing notes with others who have ostomies can be helpful, especially when being treated at different hospitals by different doctors.
- Some people have had positive experiences of meeting ostomates unexpectedly, such as during volunteer work or chance encounters in public places.
- The support and understanding gained from meeting others with ostomies can significantly improve the quality of life for individuals living with an ostomy.