Through it all, I tried to see my stoma as a challenge to overcome rather than a barrier to prevent me from doing things. It’s more about figuring out how to work around a problem rather than using my stoma as an excuse. It's not always easy, but having this conscious attitude has really helped me cope.
People ask if what I’ve gone through has changed me. In some ways, it’s changed me for the better; I have more perspective and I’m actually grateful for my experience and what it’s taught me. After five abdominal surgeries and a low point where I thought I might never eat again, the simple pleasures in life – such as going for a run or hiking a mountain with my family – are treasured, not taken for granted. I appreciate every step I take.
In 2014, I became the first person with an ileostomy to run the Himalayan 100 – a five-day, hundred-mile stage race at altitude in the Indian Himalaya. And it was breathtaking. I got to witness the stunning sight of Mt. Everest at dawn, with the first glimmers of light shining on the world’s highest peak. And when I came home, I felt invincible. I thought, "If I can do that and survive, then I can do anything." It was incredibly empowering to prove to myself that having a stoma really doesn’t have to limit your life in any way.
Richard Nixon once said, ‘Only if you have been in the deepest valley, can you truly appreciate the magnificence of the highest mountain’. I often wonder if I’d enjoy the mountains so much if I’d not experienced the ‘deepest valley.' Adversity teaches us so much. It makes us stronger and shouldn’t be feared. For me, my stoma is simply a challenge to overcome – much like a marathon or any other race. It’s not a barrier, nor is it a disability. I’m not about to let it stop me doing anything.
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Featured Articles
10/10/2024
me plus Community
Travel
Travelling with a Stoma Bag: What to Pack
The idea of taking long trips with an ostomy may seem daunting at first. But with a little extra preparation, you can...
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Everyday life
Travel
Road Trips with a Stoma
Now that you have an ostomy, the idea of taking long trips can seem daunting. But with a little extra preparation, yo...
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Travel
Stoma Travel Tips
Extra security precautions are being taken at airports and other transit hubs worldwide. A little pre-planning and un...
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Diet
Everyday life
Living with a Stoma: Hydration
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Fashion
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Fashion
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Everyday life
Tips for Managing Anxiety After Stoma Surgery
One of the biggest worries for people who have recently had stoma surgery is what other people will think.
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Everyday life
Returning to Work with a Stoma
From industrial jobs to the classroom, from long shifts at the hospital to dancers – and all workplaces in between – ...
22/01/2025
Everyday life
Back to school with a stoma
As your child begins to recover from ostomy surgery, it is normal for them to feel fearful or anxious about their nee...
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Activity
Exercise After Stoma Surgery: Back to Basics
No matter what level of physical activity you want to pursue, stoma surgery shouldn’t hold you back.
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Everyday life
Bathing or showering with a Stoma
Showering or bathing with a stoma should not interfere with your regular cleaning routine. Here are some tips on bath...
16/12/2024
Everyday life
Peristomal Skin Care
Knowing how to identify irritated skin around your stoma early and keeping it healthy could help avoid greater compli...