Myself and my good friend Keith Thomas (@keiththom2014), were invited to participate in training delivered to the staff at Cardiff airport, with the aim of educating them on managing passengers with a stoma. The airport welcomed us with open arms, and four days of training saw 80 members of staff be confident that when a passenger goes through security, they will know what to do. When you research ostomates experiences in airports it is a mixed bag of responses. Some go through seamlessly and others are stopped and asked to show their stoma. Abroad, some ostomates feel they have been misunderstood, and struggle to communicate what having a stoma is. For many just the sheer thought of going through the whole process is enough to put them off travelling.
New scanners have been installed in Cardiff airport which are being rolled out across the country, where a stoma bag would be picked up during screening, and members of staff have to carry out an inspection to see it. This may make passengers feel uncomfortable and worried. For some, it may be natural to get their bag out there and then to get it over with. For others, they may have never shown their stoma bag to their loved ones, let alone a stranger in an airport. It is the duty of staff members to make you feel as comfortable and give you dignity and privacy. You should be offered to go into a search room, with the same gender member of staff as yourself, and asked to show your bag. This does not need to take more than a few minutes, and you can be on your travels straight away. It is important to remember that you will not be judged, made to feel different, and that they have seen plenty before. It is nothing to be embarrassed about, and staff conduct multiple searches every day. Keep in mind that it is part of their job to keep you and your fellow passengers safe, and if they didn’t check it they would not be doing right by you in the first place.
Ostomates report that they feel anxious about leaving their hand luggage on the belt for them to go in to be searched. Staff assured us that your luggage would be watched and it should not go anywhere. Signs were recommended for ostomates to know that staff have carried out stoma awareness training and are stoma aware.
It is assumed by many ostomates that your bag will balloon when going on a plane. That is not true for everyone. It may very well happen, but if it does you can go to the toilet when it is safe to do so and sort your bag out. It should not cause your bag to come off completely.
If smell is something you are worried about, remember everyone’s stool smells. Ours just happen to exit the body differently! Drops are available to put into your bag to neutralise odour, and are available in different scents to make it more pleasant. Travel certificates are produced by most ostomy supply companies where your GP can sign and complete a section to say you do have a stoma, and what you need to travel with and why. Respond have one that is pocket size, and explains a stoma in multiple languages world wide to assist you on your travels in different countries. It is free of charge, and you can request a physical copy, or download a PDF version to print off yourself.
Stoma nurses advise you to pack stoma supplies in your hand luggage and your main luggage, so that if the worst happens and your luggage goes missing, you won’t be without it. Make sure you have a copy of your prescription with you to prove you are entitled to take what you need. A sunflower lanyard can support you in getting assistance at the airport should you need it. You can also be armed with a radar key for disabled toilets, and a ‘can’t wait card’ for using toilet facilities quicker. These can all be easily found online with a quick search.
Going to the airport for the first time with an ostomy may feel very daunting and scary, but the staff are there to answer all your questions, big and small. Be as prepared as you can be, and look forward to your holiday waiting for you on the other side!
