These are some of the inspirational individuals, who as well as putting themselves and their experiences with medical accessories out there, have found creative ways to push pass stigma and challenge ideas about disability, illness and body confidence to name a few. We hope they inspire you too.
A blog about stomas, fistulas, TPN, intestinal failure and living life. Hayley charts her experience of undergoing a multitude of surgeries, the challenges of living with multiple medical appliances and treatments, and the search for diagnosis. Hayley’s experiences are shared with humour. She has gone on to work in the health service.
Hannah is a poet who blogs about the health challenges she faces, through living with multiple health conditions, including intestinal failure and life with a feeding tube. There is lots to be found on her site above. An article by Hannah about writing from experience, featuring some of her poems can also be found here. In it Hannah discusses how her poetry helps her in processing sometimes traumatic health events, and enables others to get a sense of her experience, including challenging misconceptions about artificial feeding and being unable to eat.
Lucy is an amazing health advocate who works tirelessly to spread awareness. Alongside her other projects, Lucy writes a blog about issues relating to chronic and life limiting illness, disability, different conditions, healthcare and hospice and palliative care. Including info about living with multiple ostomies and a central (Hickman) line. Here Lucy challenges societal conceptualisations of beauty and the way in which disability is perceived. The article challenges shame and celebrates what our bodies have endured.
Shelley is brilliant health advocate and determined campaigner, involved in many health projects. Shell blogs about multiple health conditions and issues, including life with an ostomy. Here Shell shares her awesome group swim, for Colostomy and World Ostomy day. She discusses using difference to make a difference, through raising awareness and challenging misinformation.
Disclaimer: MAST takes no responsibility for the content of external sites. Inclusion here does not signify endorsement.
Medical Accessories Support Trust 