Stoma Stories

Back with a vengeance: taking control after stoma surgery

Steve Cartmail shares his story of toughing it out through ulcerative colitis, two parastomal hernias and lockdown weight gain

Motherhood, fitness, my ileostomy and me

Jessica Ormondroyd recalls how she regained her fitness and became a health and fitness coach after two eventful pregnancies, chronic illness and stoma surgery

A little inspiration: Jessica’s stoma journey

Kimberly Lucock recounts how her daughter Jessica has stayed smiling through chronic bowel problems and getting a stoma

Something to cheer about: positively Stella

Sarah Smith tells how her wife supported her through severe ulcerative colitis and how she was liberated by her ileostomy

My Precious: embracing the beauty of my fistula

Eilidh Mackay shares her unique life story of how she has survived two cancers and gained a fistula bag in the process, making her feel more beautiful than ever

Me again, free again

Julie Brown describes how Crohn’s disease and cancer led her to find new love, new life and softball

Teen trouble: how I got my stoma at 16

Oliver Kaye tells how stoma surgery freed him from ulcerative colitis and inspired him to raise awareness and funds for invisible bowel disease

Holding my chin up with my guts out

Sonja Nye recalls how she has kept a positive attitude through her journey from ulcerative colitis to a permanent stoma

Be happy—I am

Yvonne Haines tells how getting a permanent colostomy and learning to irrigate has transformed her life for the better

Breaking up, an analogy

Luciana Podschun recalls the most difficult decision of her life

Pageantry with purpose: from stoma surgery to catwalk confidence

Jessica Mary Logan describes her challenging journey to a J-pouch that led her to establish a pageant to inspire body confidence in people with invisible illnesses

Not doubting Tomas: learning to laugh after challenging surgery

Clare Mee looks back on the complications, predicaments and valuable lessons she has shared with Tomas, her stoma