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Today is National Hug Day. For nearly a year now, like so many of us, I’ve missed being able to hug loved ones. Being able to hug boosts people in so many ways & does so much for a lot of people mentally. Although I completely understand why we can’t and it’s better to be safe, it’s also okay to be sad at the fact that we can’t. Things are definitely feeling strained and difficult again at the moment. Throw not being able to hug people in the mix which often helps me when I’m feeling low and it can get overbearing. Thankfully, there are other things that you can do, especially in the current climate, to make someone’s day....

Having a stoma comes with its own ups and downs. Many of us have different experiences however I can imagine most of us experience the same problem with having a stoma – the horrible red, itchy and/or sore skin around the stoma (known as Peristomal Skin) Peristomal skin problems are usually very common however these are not normal, but the good news is that these can be resolved. As the saying goes, prevention is better than the cure, but if you notice any bumps, discolouration, red or purple patches in the peristomal area and you skin is sore, itchy, or painful, then this may be a sign you have a peristomal skin problem. If you notice any of these symptoms,...

Inflammatory Bowel Disease for me growing up came with its own stigma other than the taboo of being primarily a poo related disease and that is put plainly the word disease. According to the Oxford dictionary the word disease is defined as: Noun “A disorder of structure or function in a human, animal, or plant, especially one that produces specific symptoms or that affects a specific location and is not simply a direct result of a physical injury”. I got sick at the age of 10 and was diagnosed around the age of 12 with Ulcerative Colitis and there has been so many parts of growing up chronically sick that were difficult; but there was one thing that really was...

Like I said in my last blog post, Christmas 2020 is definitely going to be one of a kind (not in the way we want for sure – but hopefully we can all stay safe!) I don’t know about you, but I’ll definitely be indulging in a glass of gin, wine, prosecco or two this Christmas. Let’s start by saying that I am in no way a big drinker. I never have been and never will be. I do however enjoy a drink when my body allows it & I’m definitely partial to a glass of gin and lemonade. My current gin is Whitley Neil Blackberry & it is delicious. I never drink alcohol on an empty stomach and always...

Christmas 2020 is going to be different… That goes without saying! Having a stoma at Christmas can also be a journey to navigate. This post will hopefully give you some hints for getting through the changes that the Christmas period can bring, whether new or well bedded in to stoma life! Staying away from home This Christmas may not fall into this category with the “bubbles” being in place & guidelines for the clinically vulnerable, but hopefully these are pointers that can be used for Christmas’s to come either way. You may feel nervous and apprehensive if you are staying away from home, or have loved ones over to stay that may not know too much about your stoma journey....

Since October I have been trying to lose some weight on the off chance it would help me cope with the high frequency of leaks, I am currently experiencing. Anyone that has experienced a leak will understand that it is one of the most degrading things you can experience; when you have had bowel illness before a stoma you think once your surgery rolls around that defecating yourself is a thing of the past. Sadly, leaks can and will happen but there is always a reason behind it. Be it because of a bad fit, something you ate or in my case your stoma likes to retract into the abdominal wall because it is so flush with the skin. One...

Whether an invisible or visible disability, this question is something that understandably sparks a lot of thought, discussion & personal reasons for the individual. The views you will read in this article are mine only so please remember this is just how I see it. They are not medical guidance or otherwise and I am not speaking on behalf of those with disabilities. Everyone has their own views. As always, please consult a medical professional or legal professional for help with the things in this blog post before acting upon them. This blog post is merely how I interpret things combined with my experience of living with Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) & a permanent ileostomy. What defines “disability?” Under the...

I have always been one of those people that adores the great outdoors but not so fond of just sitting about in the garden I need to be doing something outside. Due to my multiple chronic health conditions I always had some anxiety in the back of my head regarding solo treks; this year I decided to break that fear and go off by myself, don’t get me wrong having Kobe helps plus the odd friend who will join me on occasion too. Having an ileostomy certainly hasn’t stopped me from going off and enjoying myself.

However, I believe it’s important to also focus on the other things that Crohn’s Disease & IBD causes. It isn’t just a “toilet disease” and unfortunately, often due to lack of education on the subject rather than ignorance, people are often quick to judge & think IBD basically means you go to the toilet more & have more upset stomach difficulties than others.

“When I grow up, I want to do something that helps people” that is what I used to say to my young self. I did not know exactly what that would look like, never imagined it would be in the form of support wear, but here we are. It started with Sportswear The original Comfizz established 1998 was a sports and Leisure wear company, one of the first to bring ‘performance base layers’ to the UK. My husband, Nozar, ran the company initially from home with just one designer to help him. Then came the bowel disease The Comfizz you see today specialising in medical support wear emerged in 2004 when my dad Ernie, who had been battling with Ulcerative...