It is with profound sadness and heavy hearts that we share the news of the passing of Gemma Savory. Gemma was a truly remarkable woman, a genuine inspiration, and a deeply lovely person to everyone who had the privilege of
When I left hospital 11 years ago following my ostomy surgery, I was armed with my one-piece ostomy bags and a whole new way of life. My first and only delivery at that time had been organised by my stoma
Life is busy, very very busy – you chuck a stoma into the mix and it can feel like you can’t catch your tail! Not to mention, in Wales, prescriptions are still sent by pigeon post! I can’t keep count
If you have a stoma and dream of distant shores and exotic locations, don’t let your stoma hold you back. Travelling overseas can seem daunting, but with the proper preparation, you can embark on your adventure with confidence. Here are
When you live with a stoma or a catheter, venturing out into public spaces can sometimes be a daunting task. The availability of stoma-friendly facilities can make a world of difference, offering convenience, dignity and a sense of normality. The
Living with a stoma is a life-changing event, bringing about not just physical adjustments but also emotional and social shifts. Whether you’re dealing with it firsthand or supporting someone who is, the importance of a strong support network cannot be
If you’re adjusting to life with a stoma, you might be wondering how it’s going to impact your social life. It’s totally normal to have a mix of nervousness and excitement about getting back out there. Let’s talk about some
Returning to work after stoma surgery can be a significant milestone in your recovery journey. It’s a step that brings excitement, anxiety, and concern about managing your new workplace circumstances. This blog post aims to guide stoma patients through returning
The 7th of October is Stoma Awareness Day – a day dedicated to highlighting the challenges faced by thousands living with a stoma in the UK. This year’s theme is “Smash Social Exclusion,” bringing attention to the societal barriers and
Gill Castle has made history as the first ostomate to finish a solo swim across the English Channel. She took nearly 14 hours to swim the waters from Dover to Wissant, France, aiming to raise awareness for birth injuries and
What is an Emotional Support Animal? An emotional support animal (ESA) is any animal that can benefit its owner by offering support and companionship to help them navigate life with any type of disability, particularly hidden disabilities, such as a
The smell of barbecue wafts through the air as summer is in full swing. We understand that having a stoma can sometimes make you feel anxious about social events like a barbecue, but that doesn’t mean you have to miss
As you adjust to life with a stoma, it’s natural to encounter mixed emotions and concerns about body image, self-esteem, and overall mental wellbeing. Recovery from surgery is just the first part of this journey, as returning to your regular
One of the conditions that may lead to someone having stoma surgery is Inflammatory Bowel Disease. As the 19th of May is IBD Awareness Day, we wanted to explore the various ways to look after yourself if you suffer from
May is here, and it’s time to celebrate National Walking Month, an opportunity to boost your physical and mental health by exploring the great outdoors. Regular walking can be such a pleasure, and as bladder and bowel appliance users, we
Huge congratulations to Adele Roberts, the fastest woman with an ileostomy to complete the London Marathon, with an incredible time of 3 hours, 30 minutes and 22 seconds. This achievement is even more impressive, given that she only finished having
April is Bowel Cancer Awareness Month, and unfortunately, as many ostomates know, the disease can have life-changing effects if not caught early. One of the most common cancers in the UK, Bowel Cancer can be hard to detect in the
Sleep is a vital part of our daily routine, just as important as breathing, eating, and drinking. We spend roughly one-third of our lives sleeping, and it plays a crucial role in our physical and mental health. It’s World Sleep
Pregnancy is an exciting time, but it can also be overwhelming, especially if you have a stoma. In this guide, we’ll provide some tips and advice to help you prepare for this amazing journey. First and foremost, we want to
Are we becoming a more open and inclusive society? We’d like to think so. There’s quite a bit of evidence to show that we are more mindful of those who are different, whether they have a physical disability,
We wanted to find out how travelling with stoma affected our community. Whether it’s for a holiday or a work trip, with a stoma, there are certain considerations to be taken into account, but the good news is that over
The summer holidays are finally here and with temperatures climbing, there’s nothing to beat a nice cool dip. Our most recent survey found that one of the most popular forms of exercise with a stoma is Swimming. The physical
As we all know, exercise is so important – not just for our physical health, but for our mental wellbeing and general happiness as well. The good news is that exercise doesn’t necessarily mean going for a run, playing football
To wrap up Fowler’s February, health campaigner and blogger (B is for Bladder) Aoife Madden, who also lives with Fowler’s Syndrome writes how change is needed when is comes to aftercare for those living with catheters and urostomies. It feels
Today is pancake day, where for the general population this will only mean you devouring your body weight in yummy pancakes filled with your favourite sweet treats but if you’re an ostomate then the word pancake may fill you with
“All the staff are wonderful to me, I can’t say enough about you!’’ We recently had a wonderful conversation with one of our lovely customers Eiry Halpin from Llanelli , and had an opportunity to ask her openly and honestly
How long have you had your stoma? It was 3 years on the 2nd June. What type of stoma do you have? I have an ileostomy. How did you come to having a stoma? Through Crohn’s Disease and Ulcerative Colitis,
What is Fowler’s Syndrome? This February, we want to help raise awareness of a little known debilitating chronic condition called Fowler’s Syndrome. Fowler’s Syndrome tends to affect women in their 20s and 30s and results in the failure to empty
Are we pulling less ‘sickies’ during the national lockdown? ‘National Sickie Day’ was created around 7 years ago and is normally the first Monday in February. It is traditionally the day where the highest number of people call into the
After the indulges of Christmas, many of us look to a healthier lifestyle to kickstart the new year. Veganuary, which was started in 2014 by Jane Land and her husband Matthew Glover and aims to educate and promote veganism by
Today (18/1) is said to be ‘Blue Monday, which is officially the most depressing day of the year. The third Monday in January was allegedly given this illustrious title after back in 1995, Cliff Arnall came up with the mathematical
We’re coming to the end of Crohn’s and Colitis Week (1-7 December) so we thought we would share some stories of those who live with these chronic illnesses. Crohn’s Disease and Ulcerative Colitis are two forms of Inflammatory Bowel Disease,
HOW TO KEEP SAFE IN PUBLIC BATHROOMS DURING LOCKDOWN Today (19/11) is World Toilet Day, which aims to raise awareness of the plight that 4.2 billion in the world are living without safe access to sanitation. Having clean and safe
Keith Thomas, 59 from Llanelli had surgery to remove his bowel and create an ileostomy after years of suffering with ulcerative colitis. Keith is passionate about raising awareness of how you can have a happy and fulfilling life with a
Can you ever truly know something until you’ve tried it out? When you were a child, how many foods that your parents offered you did you turn your nose up to, only to find that they were actually great? How
Having stoma surgery can be an overwhelming and confusing time. Many people leave the hospital feeling a little underprepared and with just a few stoma bags so this post is to help you find out what stoma products are available
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