Embracing my stoma bag
One of the challenges as an ostomate, that many others and I face on a daily basis is the fact that unless we show our stoma bag or talk about our reasons for having a stoma bag then no one would know it’s there!
This is the same with many other hidden illnesses or disabilities, just because you can’t see them doesn’t mean it isn’t there! There can be good days and bad days living with a hidden disability or illness which again can be something that people like me feel like they have to justify to help others understand that although one day we can be perfectly fine and the next we are not. Therefore, some adjustments do need to be made in such circumstances. Things like using accessible facilities can be important especially if I need to change or empty my stoma bag. Sometimes when I do use the accessible facilities, I will walk out to someone staring at me as if to say ‘you shouldn’t be using that!’ which discourages me from using them at all or makes me feel nervous knowing what I may have to come out to. This also applies to working environments. At work I may need extra time for toilet breaks, an extra member of staff there, rather than lone working to cover in case I have a leak and need to leave to change etc., and I feel this is where equity comes into place for someone like me.
The importance of equity
Equity is all about giving each individual or group of people the same resources or opportunities whereas equity recognises that each individual has different circumstances and allocates the exact resources and opportunities needed to reach an equal outcome. Having a stoma bag can mean some adjustments need to be made so someone like me can have the same opportunities as others.
Highlighting the importance of equity is so important for those with invisible disabilities or illness which is why speaking up and embracing my stoma bag and my journey of how I got here is so important rather than a taboo subject or something that I should hide away. It’s important to also educate others so they understand how invisible illness or disability can impact someone’s life and why it’s important to be less judgemental when they may see someone doing something perfectly fine one day and laid up in bed the next!
By embracing my stoma bag and my journey I have encouraged others to do the same and hopefully helped improve the pathway of equity so that anyone living secretly with a hidden illness or disability will one day have the courage to speak up and get the resources and opportunities they deserve.