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.”
Ted Vosk
Walt Brilhart
Rob Hill
Canada
George Moore
Bill O'Donnell
Dana Marie Gatziolis
Sarah Biggart
Lisa Becker
Lee Thrash
Kent Cullen
Abby Ryan
Perry Swisher
Jeff Kleman
Lawrence "Dutch" Keen
Gillian Knafelc
Nicole Kilgore
Valencia Hardaway
Patrick McKinney
Herman Morchel
Joe Salisz
Dianne Hattaway
Linda Pasto, RN
Randy Henniger
Stephanie Crane
Living with an Ileostomy since 2010
Louie Mikedes
Phyllis Rovner
Ginny Hamisch
Tracy Bejbl
Matt Deal
Thomas Exler
UK me+™ Community
United Kingdom
Deelia Moore
Albert Mignone
Sarah Russell
Ted Taylor
Ryan Decker
Jearlean Taylor
Meghan Tierney Hultman
Ronald Nicholson
Living with an Urostomy since 2014