Being an Advocate

I am very proud to be a ConvaTec Advocate. I was one of the first Advocates, so I’ve been here since the very beginning encouraging dialogue and education around stomas. So, what does being an Advocate really involve?

ConvaTec invite me to speak at various groups and meetings. I share my story with other stoma bag wearers and tell them how my life has changed since my surgery. I explain how my stoma improved my life, allowed me to become a father and enabled me to be fitter than I ever was before. I usually give a presentation and answer any questions, before I get the chance to talk to people individually. This is my favourite part. I love having the chance to meet new people and it’s interesting to hear their unique stoma stories.

Once the meetings end, I usually don’t see the people I’ve met again but after one meeting, I connected with a young man I’d met on social media. When I met him, he was only a few weeks post-op. He had the stereotypical post-surgery look of grey skin and tired eyes. I told him that I had rebuilt my fitness and was a keen runner, and he told me that he used to play football. A few months later, we reconnected. Not only had he managed to return to his usual activities, but he had also run the London Marathon! He remembered the day that we met and he told me that for him, that day had been a turning point, where he’d realised he could be active again.

I hope that by sharing my story, I can continue to make people realise that having a stoma doesn’t have to reduce your quality of life. Actually, it can change your life for the better. The best way I could explain what being an Advocate is about was to share this young man’s story. When I started my stoma journey ten years ago, I wish a programme like me+ had been available. There is a whole community of people who have stomas, who also lead very active lifestyles. Knowing that would have given me confidence that I could return to normal after my recovery. I think that’s why I am so passionate about providing support for people post-op, and why I’m so proud to be a me+ Advocate.