A girl who was bedbound for 5 years earlier than getting a stoma bag has now confirmed it off by strutting down the catwalk.
Charlotte Twinley, 24, began combating excessive abdomen ache when she was simply 14.
She struggled to eat and in addition dislocated her joints simply. In July 2013, medical doctors ultimately recognized her with Ehlers Danlos Syndrome (EDS), a situation that impacts the physique’s connective tissue and joints.
Her situation triggered her colon to be additional stretchy making it laborious for her to digest meals.
For the subsequent 5 years, Charlotte struggled to eat something. She even tried laxatives and a liquid solely weight-reduction plan.
Docs then really useful to have a stoma fitted, which might divert a part of the bowel via a gap within the tummy. Charlotte mentioned sure instantly.
She had the surgical procedure in June 2018 and has been in a position to eat since.
Eager to characterize and lift consciousness for folks with stoma baggage, she was ecstatic when she was invited to mannequin for London Represents at this yr’s London Vogue week.
Charlotte, a disabled content material creator, from Arundel, West Sussex, mentioned: ‘I really like my stoma bag.
‘I used to be so determined to have a Chinese language takeaway once more and I believed it was such a cool medical innovation.
‘It’s helped restore my relationship with my physique. I’m not afraid to point out it off.
‘Strolling down the catwalk felt wonderful and I felt so sassy.’
Charlotte realised her physique was weakening when she was simply 14.
‘I stored spraining and twisting joints increasingly more throughout sport,’ she recalled.
‘Then I began combating abdomen ache that felt like I used to be being stabbed time and again.’
After going backwards and forwards to the medical doctors, they seen she was hypermobile and recognized her with EDS.
‘They advised me that my EDS additionally impacts my digestive system making it work very slowly so digestive and passing meals was actually tough,’ Charlotte defined.
‘I used to be constipated on a regular basis which was so embarrassing for an adolescent. I struggled with my weight and physique picture as a result of my consuming points.
‘I used to be principally bedbound for 5 years as a result of I used to be so weak.’
Charlotte says the stoma bag modified her life fully.
‘I didn’t actually really feel self-conscious about it as a result of I used to be simply so determined to eat usually and be capable of sit down with others and have what they're having reasonably than a smoothie,’ she mentioned.
She notes that whereas her life is regular once more, some components are nonetheless affected by her situation.
‘I can seem somewhat clumsy to others as I do nonetheless have fragile ankles,’ she mentioned.
‘I take advantage of a strolling stick out and about simply to assist with my stability.
‘However I can dwell a traditional life, I would simply want some extra relaxation days after a giant week than others.’
Charlotte began posting about her situation on social media as there wasn’t anybody else out talking out about having a stoma bag due to EDS.
‘I actually proudly present it off and discuss it to assist others,’ she added.
She was chosen as a mannequin for London trend week in September 2021 and once more this September.
‘They attempt to champion folks of all styles and sizes and variety which is absolutely refreshing,’ she mentioned.
‘It was a a lot greater occasion this yr so it was nerve-wracking.
‘However there was a lot adrenaline and I felt so sassy strolling down there.
‘If I can encourage others to have acceptance of themselves then that’s wonderful.’
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