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Why am I doing this?
I was diagnosed with ulcerative colitis in 1999 and three years later was medically discharged from the Army. Early in 2004 I became critically ill with food poisoning and shortly after required life saving surgery. My large bowel was completely removed and overnight I had to adjust to life with a stoma bag stuck to my abdomen.
A stoma is an artificial opening of the intestine or urinary tract formed during surgery for cancer, Inflamatory Bowel Disease (IBD) or another condition that damages that part of the body. It is not known exactly how many Ostomates there are in the UK, it is estimated there are at least 150,000 and as many as 45,000 new operations are performed every year.
After all the pain and fear of enduring serious illness, discovering you will need major treatment and then recovering post surgery, you then have to adjust to major lifestyle changes. You wonder how it will affect your work, your personal life and relationships. The whole affair is a traumatic one, which combined with the stigma associated with this subject it is not surprising that many in this situation have a very hard time coping. |
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After I recovered from the first operation I gradually began to rebuild my strength and get my life in order. I became much more active; I started swimming and cycling again, as well as rekindling my passion for sailing. I met my girlfriend and we have since bought a house together. I discovered new interests in sustainability and the countryside that led me to begin studying and venturing in a new direction that I might otherwise not have taken.
Since then I have had two further operations - the last one was in December 2005 when I had part of my small bowel reconstructed to form an internal pouch to replace my ileostomy. I am now in a position to look to the future feeling fitter, healthier and happier than I can ever recall. Although a part of me will never forget the trauma of the last two years, the whole experience is now only a vague memory which serves to spur me on with the rest of my life. |
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Overall I have found the whole experience to have been positive - but I am one of the lucky ones. Many people suffer unbearably for years. Now I have the opportunity to make a difference to the hundreds of thousands of people who suffer the same problems I had. Your donation will help to ensure more people can make the most of their lives and don't give up hope, and will make a major contribution towards curing these diseases for good.
Thank you! |
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