I am not sure this is the right place for this story of mine, but it is about car travel, large Stoma, and the police. I have a large Stoma which as much as I tried to hide, it shows through clothing, and does look like I have something tucked in my pants.

I was going back home early night a few days ago, it was a dark road, and I was concentrating on driving, and watching for deer. I noticed in the corner of my eye a police car standing in the dark, and did not think much of it, as I was not doing anything wrong. No more then a minutes later, I see the flashing lights behind me, I found a place to get off the road and stopped, turned off the engine, and kept my hands on the steering wheel, so the officer can see them. He approached my window, and asked a few questions, took my driver license and registration, then asked me to get out of the car. I did not ask why, I just did as he asked. Standing by my car facing the patrol car with all the lights, when I saw the officer pull his gun out, aiming at me, and asking "are you carrying a weapon"? It took me a second to realize what he was looking at, and I said to him "no, it is my colostomy bag, for medical reason",

He asked me to lift up my shirt VERY slowly, and show him, and I did, he approached me, took a good look, put his gun back in the holster, and asked me about the colostomy, and the bag.

All you Ostomates, if you are stopped, and asked to get out of the car, make sure to tell the officer before coming out about your colostomy, and where is it located "I have a colostomy on my Abdomen left side (or right side) it is a medical device". Do not do as I did and get a weapon aimed at you, it is scary.

When all was done, the officer apologized to me, and never really told me what made him stop me.