Everyone felt that their child's life was better with the ostomy. A couple of people mentioned that it could be worse and they really didn't have a choice, but they have adjusted and their child is healthy and thriving. There are many reasons for ending up with one of the several types of ostomies, i.e., sigmoid colostomy, urostomy, ileostomy, etc. As I read back over the comments I received, I think it is important to mention that all of these children have a permanent colostomy for different reasons. A number of them tried bowel management and for whatever reason it didn't work.
Bowel management is still the first option of treating our kids with anorectal anomalies.
A few of these kids still have the option to close their ostomy and try bowel management again as they get older. Finally, I think it is important to mention that all of these kids have some other health concerns unrelated to the ostomy, but have managed to have full and busy lives. All of the kids are active in sports and other activities that interest them. For them to be happy and able to do whatever they want with their lives, is, after all, what we all want for our kids. The relevance of any information contained in this site to a particular person should be discussed by the family with their own physicians.