OSTOMY

Script Scenarios

The Sleepover

Clare has been invited by her friend, Joanne, a fellow cheerleader, to spend a night at her home. In her exuberance to help her friend unpack, Joanne finds Clare's collection pouch. Calmly, Clare explains about her ileostomy and the use of her collection pouch. She talks about the advantages of having an ostomy--that she isn't sick with diarrhea anymore--and she quells some of Joanne's fears about her condition. When Joanne asks about Clare's stoma, Clare shows Joanne the underside of an apple and explains that her stoma looks like that. Clare assures her friend that she isn't embarrassed or ashamed of her condition and invites the audience to ask her questions as well. (Clare, Joanne)

Cheerleader Camp

Clare has won a scholarship for cheerleading camp and she's prepared to convince her mother to allow her to attend. Clare knows that her mother can be somewhat overprotective about her ostomy and she works hard to let her mother know that she is a healthy and independent teen. Finally, after they discuss talking about ostomies--even to boys--Clare's mother allows her to attend. Clare then talks with the audience about the concerns that families--especially parents--have about their children when they've had surgery like she's had. (Clare, Clare's mom played by a puppeteer as an actor)

The New Soccer Coach

When Joanne arrives at Gary's house she finds him dejected. It seems that when Gary told his new soccer coach that he's had an ostomy and doesn't need any special padding to play on the team, the coach decided to keep Gary from playing. There have been many angry words and Gary is quite upset. Joanne suggests that Gary try talking it out and, as Joanne takes the part of the soccer coach, Gary explains about ostomies and the misconceptions that people have about them. Gary takes questions from the audience. (Gary, Joanne)

The Fun Facts Championship

One afternoon, Gary and Joanne are playing a Fun Facts tournament. As the game progresses, Joanne excuses herself several times. When Gary confronts her about his suspicions that she's sneaking answers, Joanne confesses that "drinking all that juice... well, it's gone right through me!" Gary then explains that he doesn't have that problem because he's had a urostomy and tells Joanne all about it. Joanne is amazed to know "all this neat stuff" and Gary answers questions from the audience. (Gary, Joanne)

The Kids on the Block, created in 1977, features life size puppets who, through the magic of live puppet theatre, teach children and adults about disabilities, medical and educational differences, and social concerns. Through the hard work and dedication of many community based groups, The Kids on the Block puppets are able to touch the lives of people all over the world.

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