me+™ Community Profiles
We believe living with an ostomy should be fulfilling and complete – whether you’d like to run a 5K, or simply get back out with your friends. And we know that no two people live with an ostomy in quite the same way. The me+ Community highlights the stories of people living with an ostomy doing the things they love.
teacher, principal
A life-long educator, Walt Brilhart has always taken care of others – as a teacher, principal, executive director and associate superintendent of Frederick County Public Schools. When he was diagnosed with ulcerative colitis at the age of 38, Walt needed someone to take care of him. His wife, Lallah, and three sons supported him through full proctocolectomy surgery, but afterwards, he felt devastated.Inspired by the stories of others living with an ostomy, Walt was encouraged to recover. Soon, he was back “on the course,” coaching students, playing the keyboard at church and golfing several times a week.
Fashion Model
As an accomplished fashion model–and a double ostomate–she’s spent nearly 20 years camouflaging her pouches from the camera. Today, Jearlean is still awed by how far she’s come. “Sometimes I can’t believe that I’m a fashion model,” she says. “This industry is tough, with very high standards and expectations. By the grace of God, I made it. And now, it’s my mission to help others do the same.”
Meghan Tierney Hultman
George Moore
Bill O'Donnell
Lisa Becker
Kent Cullen
Albert Mignone
Abby Ryan
Jeff Kleman
Lawrence "Dutch" Keen
Gillian Knafelc
Nicole Kilgore
Valencia Hardaway
Patrick McKinney
Herman Morchel
Dianne Hattaway
Randy Henniger
Louie Mikedes
Phyllis Rovner
Ginny Hamisch
Tracy Bejbl
UK me+™ Community
United Kingdom
Deelia Moore
Ronald Nicholson
Living with an Urostomy since 2014
Rob Hill
Canada
Stephanie Crane
Living with an Ileostomy since 2010
Walt Brilhart
Linda Pasto, RN
Sarah Russell
Perry Swisher
Thomas Exler
Joe Salisz
Ted Vosk
Dana Marie Gatziolis
Matt Deal
Sarah Biggart
Ted Taylor
Jearlean Taylor
Ryan Decker
Lee Thrash