International Women’s Day is a day to inspire action and contributions of women everywhere.
This year’s theme of ‘accelerated action’ aligns with my personal ambitions to continue advocating for women’s health, by raising awareness and support for those affected by birth injuries and trauma both in the UK and internationally.
A Personal Journey to Advocacy
Advocating for women impacted by severe childbirth injuries is a cause that is deeply personal to me. These injuries are life-changing, often causing debilitating symptoms that many endure for years. These physical symptoms take a toll on both mental health and wellbeing.
My own experience of a birth injury is what inspired me to act, speak out, to support and advocate for those affected. After living with the consequences of my injury for two decades, I had stoma surgery and became an ostomate in 2019. A journey that has only strengthened my commitment to raising awareness and helping others navigate their own challenges.
Shortly before my stoma surgery, I became involved with the UK birth injury charity MASIC, who support women living with physical birth injuries and I became an advocate. Until then, I had never met anyone else who had experienced a birth injury. I was shocked to learn how many women are affected.
Beyond raising awareness of the impact of birth injuries, one of my priorities was to support women directly as I know first-hand, peer-to-peer support is invaluable for those navigating this journey and how isolating it can feel. Two years ago, I established a birth injury support group on behalf of the charity, and this year, I hope to increase referrals and reach even more women in need.
Climbing Kilimanjaro to Support Women in Kenya
This October, I’m combining my passion for supporting women with my love of fitness by embarking on my biggest adventure since becoming an ostomate. I’m travelling to Tanzania to climb Mount Kilimanjaro as part of an all-female team for the stoma charity, Chameleon Buddies. I am fundraising to support women and girls in Kenya who have stomas due to birth injuries and life-altering trauma. Often these women are socially excluded from their families and communities because of the stigmas and shame surrounding incontinence.
Our goal is to help build a dedicated stoma and continence wing at the Gynocare Women’s Fistula Hospital in Eldoret, providing essential care and support for those in need. One of the key parts of this trip will be traveling to Eldoret after our trek to meet some of the women and girls we’re supporting; to visit the hospital we’re fundraising for and participate in a stoma education workshop.
Training & Overcoming Challenges
This challenge is not just about testing my endurance, it’s about raising awareness and support for those facing similar journeys. I hope to inspire fellow ostomates to chase their goals, break barriers, and smash stigmas.
My colostomy has given me the freedom to embrace opportunities I once thought impossible. Without it, this journey wouldn’t even be an option.
Training for this eight-day adventure is already underway and whilst I’m physically fit, this challenge will push me in many ways – especially with the unpredictable effects of altitude. I also need to carefully plan my stoma care and management in a remote mountain environment, where camping and limited access to water will add to the complexity. I have also never been camping with my stoma!
Breaking Barriers in Sport & Beyond
While climbing Kilimanjaro is a challenge, the true challenge lies in funding the hospital and supporting the women and girls affected by birth injuries and trauma. With this support, we can help them regain confidence and independence through education and specialised care for their stoma and continence needs.
Not only will this help them manage their conditions, but it will also empower them by giving them the opportunity to lead a normal life, equipping them with skills, enabling them to work, support themselves, and reintegrate into their communities.
Aside from hiking with a weighted pack for this epic trek, my other love is swimming. Three years ago, I joined a masters swimming club, something that seemed impossible before my stoma. Since then, I’ve embraced competition and this year, I’m pushing myself further by signing up for more events.
For me, it’s not about winning but about pushing past my own expectations and seeing how far I can go. I want to empower ostomates to show that having a stoma doesn’t limit your ambitions and encourage them to take action.