Did you know that every 39 minutes in the U.K. someone undergoes a life altering stoma surgery?  

Probably not, that is why this month Colostomy U.K. are raising awareness of the prevalence of people needing a stoma after prolonged illness. 

In my case, I had an emergency stoma operation after just a year of battling ulcerative colitis that nearly killed me. Since then, I have had to alter my life to accommodate a new way of needing the toilet.

Although it’s been tough at times, I am grateful for the second chance my stoma has provided me with. Many people have never heard about stomas and if they have it’s usually in a negative light.

I will be walking 39 minutes every day for a month to show people that having a stoma is not the end of someone’s life, but just the beginning. 

Follow me over on @stomababe (Instagram) to see more of my journey. 

Colostomy UK is a national charity that offers support and advice to people with stomas and to their families, carers and friends. Colostomy UK also campaigns and acts as advocates for ostomates on the many issues they face going about their daily lives. We want hidden conditions to be understood and accepted by all. Our vision is of communities in which everyone is empowered to reach their potential.