In honour of International Women’s Day 2025, we wanted to celebrate the strength, resilience, and achievements of women everywhere, especially those living with a stoma. We contacted 5 inspirational women with stomas who openly share their stories on social media and asked what advice they would give to fellow ostomates or soon-to-be-ostomates.
Their courage, vulnerability, and experiences are brilliant at inspiring others on similar journeys. From using humour to raise awareness to embracing self-love and confidence, these women are showing us what it means to thrive with a stoma. Continue reading to discover their advice.
Beth AKA @palomathestoma
Beth’s journey with her ileostomy began in March 2023. Since then, she has become the leader of her local stoma support group and has amassed over 3,000 followers on Instagram. She uses humour to break the stigma around stomas – she can often be seen dancing in her poo costume!
She says she’s learned the importance of allowing others to support you during the healing process: “My biggest piece of advice would be to let others help you post-operatively, speak to others living with a stoma, but don’t compare your journey to theirs. We are all different, we heal differently and experience different symptoms.”
This is an important reminder that each person’s journey is unique. She added another piece of simple yet powerful advice: “Be kind to yourself, especially in those early days.”
Aimee AKA @nobladderbabe
Aimee is a recent ostomate, having undergone a urostomy surgery in December 2024. Though she’s new to this journey, she’s already becoming a source of inspiration for others and is raising awareness about this often-overlooked type of stoma surgery.
Aimee emphasises the importance of self-trust and listening to your body. She says: “One piece of advice for someone thinking about a stoma is to truly trust your gut instinct. Sometimes that label ‘too young’ gets thrown about, but you are the expert of you, and if you truly believe a stoma is your best choice, follow your instincts.”
However, not everyone has the option to prepare for stoma surgery, as it can sometimes be performed in an emergency. This can make recovery and adjusting to life with a stoma much more difficult. “If this decision has been taken away from you, however, it’s okay to not be happy. You don’t have to always love your stoma,” Aimee says, encouraging others to honour their feelings and take their time in adjusting to their stoma.
Nikita AKA @nikitaxpatelx
Nikita suffered a long battle with Crohn’s disease and no medication seemed to help. In 2018, when she was just 18, a major flare landed her in hospital and she needed emergency surgery to form a permanent ileostomy. She is now thriving.
Nikita encourages others to embrace their unique journey. She urges, “Don’t start comparing your journey to others! Everyone feels differently about their stoma and the reasons why people get one are so varied, your storyline is never going to perfectly match someone else’s struggles, symptoms or recovery period.”
Her posts show the reality of living with a stoma and IBD, helping to raise awareness for both and showing the ordinary face of these conditions.
Larnie AKA @hotgirlshavecrohns
Larnie’s stoma was formed in October 2024 as part of an emergency surgery to treat inflammatory bowel disease, and she has since undergone reversal surgery. She said she found the transition overwhelming at first as she navigated a new body and a new reality. But with time, Larnie has come to terms with her diagnosis and surgeries and has chosen to share her journey to create relatable and helpful content for fellow ‘hot girls’!
She says, “It’s easy to think of life without needing a stoma, but I always remind myself of all the things it’s given back to me: it saved my life, has given me time to enjoy my hobbies again, see family, see friends, get dressed up, laugh, enjoy eating! It’s allowed me to be who I am, and not just my diagnosis.”
Larnie encourages others to take things step by step and celebrate every achievement along the way: “Wherever you are on your stoma or IBD journey, it’s so important to think of it as a symbol of your resilience.”
Jessica AKA @jessicasstomajourney
At just 10 years old, Jessica has already navigated some very tough challenges, and continues to do so with a smile. She has had her colostomy since 2018 and shares her story to give a voice to young ostomates. When asked for her advice, Jessica said: “Be brave and be positive, love your stoma, you are beautiful, and always remember confidence comes with time. You can enjoy being you.”
She also stressed the importance of connecting with others who share similar experiences, showing wisdom beyond her years: “Please reach out to others going through a similar journey. Meeting up with others with a stoma via support groups/events can make you feel that you are not alone.”
Her Instagram account (run by her mum Kim), documenting her journey and various fundraising efforts, has over 4,000 followers.
Conclusion
These five women, along with so many others, are helping female ostomates to feel seen, represented and understood. They are showing us how to live boldly whatever struggles we may face, how to support one another, and how to embrace our differences. Their stories, and the great community of ostomates on social media, are a reminder that no matter where you are on your stoma journey, you are never alone.
We’d like to extend a big thank you to all who participated in sharing their experiences and advice!
Stoma resources
There are many organisations and communities to help ostomates and their loved ones connect to others like them and find the support they need. Explore these resources:
Ileostomy and Internal Pouch Association
Further reading
10 celebrities with a stoma bag
Dan’s story: Living with an ileostomy to treat hereditary colon cancer
Why would you need a stoma bag?
