New UOAA volunteer leader shares journey with ostomy, surgery and finding a community
I am honored and incredibly excited to step into this role as president and serve this vibrant community. I am dedicated to improving the lives of those living with ostomies and continence diversions as well as those who support them. I am deeply grateful for your trust and support. I have been involved with United Ostomy Associations of America (UOAA) since 2019 at the Affiliated Support Group level in positions as a member, treasurer, secretary, vice president, and president of the Pikes Peak Ostomy Association in Colorado Springs, Colorado. I am still involved in this group and invite you to join us.
Justus Anderson at home in Colorado with horse Festus and dog Aspen.
I grew up in Wyoming and entered the Air Force right after high school. I retired from the military in 2006 and began my ostomy journey in 2017 with a prostate cancer diagnosis. As a result of radiation treatments, I had multiple colo-urethral fistulas and became the proud owner of a loop ileostomy and a suprapubic catheter the day after Christmas, 2018. The intention was to have it reversed within six months and, as with many other new ostomates, I was released into the wild with limited knowledge and resources to help cope with my newfound condition.
I couldn’t stop the leaks and was terrified to leave the house. Fortunately, I have a loving, caring wife who convinced me to attend an ostomy group meeting. Their flyer was tucked in among the mind-numbing stack of papers in my complimentary, ostomy starter kit and hospital discharge folder. We attended our first meeting and realized that it was full of generous, upbeat, helpful people eager to welcome me into their fold! That was the moment I began to heal. Realizing that I did not have to face this alone was a huge step in the trek to recovery! My life was not over; it was just different.
Along the way, I met doctors, marathon runners, airline pilots, hikers, campers and all manner of human beings living full lives with ostomies. It was inspiring, and in 2023, I attended my first UOAA National Conference in Houston. I met more wonderful, caring people dedicated to helping others. That is when my UOAA journey began.
Justus representing UOAA at WOCNext with, left, UOAA Advocacy Manager Jeanine Gleba and center, Speaker Siri Lindley a World champion triathelete, author, coach, and horse rescue founder.
After four and a half years of major and minor surgeries, procedures, and COVID, I managed to have my ileostomy taken down in 2023. I get to keep my suprapubic catheter indefinitely. For those who have had these procedures, you know that that may not end the journey. This experience gave me a deep appreciation for the UOAA and the dedication of its membership. I could not have done it without my local support group and UOAA friends! I am still heavily involved in my local support group, and as you can see, I am now heavily involved in UOAA.
As President, I will work to give back to the organization that has supported me throughout my ostomy experience by strengthening member engagement, expanding outreach to ALL ostomates, and advancing programs that improve quality of life for our members and their caretakers. I will listen closely, communicate openly, and bring people together to turn good ideas into meaningful action. Please continue to share your ideas, concerns, and hopes for our future. I am here to serve you.
