It’s my second colostomy anniversary, a scary and reassuring thought. Scary in the speed that time passes. Reassuring that I remember it was a potentially life saving operation and that I do not regret for a minute the decision to not have a reversal and keep my colostomy.
So to recognise and celebrate this I have decided that in my third year as a colostomate I will raise money for a charity that helps colosomates and all ostomates called ColostomyUK – their goal to empower ostomates to live life to the max. Supporting people with coming to terms with their colostomy, educating the wider public to relieve the stigma related to colostomy and encourage activity for colostomates.
You can find more information about their work here.
My aim is to complete two events based in Cumbria.
The first is in April 2020 and is called The Lakes Traverse, a west to east traverse of the Lake District from St Bees Head on the coast through to Shap on the eastern edge of the Lake District.
The second, in October 2020, is called Lakes in a Day – a north to south traverse starting at Caldbeck and finishing in Cartmel.
The goal is to try and raise £500 per event.
Why? I was lucky in how I was able to come to terms with my colostomy, that’s not the case for everybody. Stoma nurses in the hospital provide the practical support, how to change your bag etc. But, they are not ostomates and they recognise that they cannot help with the ‘head’ part of suddenly having a colostomy. That is where Colostomy UK can support individuals in terms of quite literally getting their heads round their new situation.
In addition they advocate on behalf of ostomates, support the ‘Not every disability is visible’ campaign and support ostomates to be as active as they want to be, breaking down barriers both real and perceived
It’s valuable work and like all charities it needs support and money. They receive no central or statutory funding so every pound given has an impact.
I will be blogging regularly as I get myself ready for these two events and I will update my justgiving page regularly as well.
You can support Colostomy UK my donating at the link below
colin reynolds - music memories / mental health / living with a stoma 
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