School was tough. I was bullied a lot, and my mental health suffered. Back then, I didn’t know how to process everything, so I’d just block it out. Confidence was a struggle, especially with the colostomy. I didn’t even feel like going out much because I was so self-conscious about leaks. By the age of 10, the colostomy was replaced with an ileostomy after I developed gangrene, which required them to remove most of my bowel and large intestine. That surgery saved my life, but not without complications. I remember being rushed back to Great Ormond Street Hospital with septicaemia—my temperature sky-high. My childhood was spent in and out of hospitals, and honestly, I’ve lost track of how many surgeries I’ve had.

As I got older, I learned to accept my condition, though it wasn’t easy. Growing up with a twin brother and younger siblings who seemed to have no health issues made me feel like the odd one out. They were confident, dating early, while I shied away from relationships. I didn’t have my first girlfriend until I was about 17 or 18. I always worried about how someone would react when I told them about my ileostomy. In my head, it was a huge deal. But when I finally opened up, most people were surprisingly understanding. Looking back, I built it up more than I needed to. These days, with social media and greater awareness, things are different. But back then, there was hardly any conversation about stomas, especially for younger people.

Now I’m 49 and have four children. My ileostomy hasn’t stopped me from living life or raising a family. I’ve taken on challenges I never imagined—parachute jumps, abseiling, and even kickboxing. At 40, I started running. It took months of training, but I eventually completed marathons and even an ultramarathon in just over seven hours. I’ve always tried to run for charity, supporting causes close to my heart, like Great Ormond Street Hospital, where I spent so much of my childhood, and Click Sargent, which helps young people with cancer.

Running with an ileostomy comes with its challenges. Hydration is critical, so I’m always laden with bottles. Timing bag changes and finding toilets at checkpoints became part of my routine. I’ve used Convatec products for most of my life, and they’ve been a game-changer compared to the older stoma bags I used as a kid. I use the  Natura^® Two-Piece Drainable system and I've  never had any issues with leaks. I find the baseplate is a lot more secure as well.

Travelling has been another adventure. I’ll never forget one embarrassing moment at an airport in China. Customs thought I was smuggling drugs because of my bag. They took me to a back room for a search, and trying to explain what an ileostomy is to someone who didn’t speak much English was… interesting, to say the least. Thankfully, that’s the only time I’ve had an issue while travelling.

When it comes to my kids, my older two understand my condition, but the younger ones only know that I have a bag. They don’t yet know the full story.

Looking back, I wish I’d had more support during my younger years. Social media has made it easier for people to connect and share their experiences, but I didn’t have that back then. I felt so alone, like no one could understand what I was going through. That’s why I’m so passionate about helping others now—letting people know they’re not alone and that a stoma doesn’t stop you from living a full life.

It took me a long time to embrace my ileostomy. For years, I hated it—I couldn’t even look at it. But now, I see it differently. It gave me a second chance at life and has allowed me to do things I never thought possible. Sure, I still struggle with body image at times, but I’ve learned to focus on what my body has allowed me to achieve.

Through it all, my mum was my rock. She never left my bedside during hospital stays, even staying in a hospital room when surgeries kept me in London far from home. My dad would drive back and forth, and my siblings were cared for by my nan. Their support meant the world to me.

Now, I’m focused on enjoying life and supporting others in the stoma community. If there’s one thing I’ve learned, it’s that life with a stoma doesn’t have to hold you back.

If you’ve been inspired by Ian's story and would like us to pass a message on, simply email meplus@convatec.com or if you’d like to contribute your own stoma story, just get in touch the same way.  

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