I say let it. Yes, I am more than my ostomy, but I would be nothing without it. Literally, it saved my life after a major blockage.
I always knew I would have a bag someday, but I never thought that day would come so soon. I was diagnosed with Ulcerative Colitis in eighth grade and had my colon taken out that same school year. Five years later, I ended up back in the hospital due to a perforation in my intestine from bacteria. The hole closed on its own and I healed, but I knew I was slowly heading toward the inevitable future of life with a bag. In the meantime, I had a nice new scar to add to my growing collection.
Another five years came and went, and I found myself in the hospital again, a major blockage being the problem this time. Sometime after being admitted, my bowels burst. I was in the hospital for a month and was intubated for a week while they performed three different surgeries, leaving me with an ostomy at the age of 25.
And that's why I am walking to spread awareness and raise money for such an important cause that truly means everything to me. We need to fight the stigma. Because, even though my ostomy is a life-saving medical device, people still call it gross. Because, less than 12 hours post-op, my nurse was already talking about reversal and implying I couldn't live a normal life with it. Because after everything I’ve been through, I refuse to let somebody think less of me because I’m built different.
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My goal this year is to raise $300, and I would appreciate any amount you can give to help me reach it. The funds raised helps the United Ostomy Associations of America provide:
Free education and patient guides
275+ support groups nationwide
Advocacy efforts to protect ostomate rights and access to medical supplies
And more!
Thank you for cheering me on and supporting this cause that means so much to me.
With gratitude,
Kaylee❤️
