Wow, there are so many amazing charities out there that I'm not sure I even deserve a look in but I would never miss an opportunity to raise awareness for the ostomy community, so here goes...

At the age of 26 I was diagnosed with ulcerative colitis, it came on quickly and I spent the next year in and out of hospital on too many med's to count. After a month on IV steroids and 13 days of no sleep my bowel perforated and I died while on the operating table, lucky for me they revived me and I woke with a temporary stoma I called Squish. Three years, four stomas and twelve surgeries later I find myself with a permanent ileostomy.

In the beginning I felt so alone and thought I was the only ostomate under 30 alive, after reaching out and connecting with our local ostomy association I started some support groups for others like me first locally and then online. Over time my involvement with the association has grown and I am now the president and responsible for over 3,500 ostomates in Western Australia getting their monthly medical supplies. As well as the continued growth of our wellness initiatives. I am also the youth ambassador for the Australian Council of Stoma Associations.

Most recently I have started an ostomy awareness and support blog called InsideOut Ostomy Life. Though this I aim to break the stigma associated with having an ostomy and help others find a way to love themselves again. Through shared experiences I know I can show them that we can do anything we could have done pre ostomy and in many cases more than we could. Chronic illness sucks but my ostomy gave me life without it I would have died at 26, for that I am eternally grateful.

My ostomy gave me life without it I would have died at 26.

Help me help others find a love for life again and raise awareness for the ostomy community.