It’s been over two years since my last blog post, but today, on World Ostomy Day, I return with something very close to my heart.

World Ostomy Day is a reminder that ostomies save lives. It’s about breaking the stigma, celebrating resilience, and honoring the journeys of people who thrive with ostomies.

For this special feature, I’ve gathered 10 voices, including my own, to share what this day means to them, what they wish people understood, and offer advice for anyone new to this journey. These are stories of strength, truth, and hope.

Why World Ostomy Day Matters

What World Ostomy Day Means to Me:

To me, World Ostomy Day means strength, resilience, and hope. It’s a time to celebrate the lives saved by ostomies, to share both the challenges and beauty of this journey, and to break the stigma that surrounds them.

What I Wish People Knew:
That ostomies literally save lives. Life is not over; it just looks different. With time, it becomes your new normal, and you can live fully and thrive.

My Advice:
Celebrate your second chance at life. Life with an ostomy is LIFE. Point. Blank. Period.

My Ostomy Story – Kimberly M. Hooks

I was diagnosed with ulcerative colitis in 2011. For nearly a decade, I battled symptoms, flares, and hospitalizations, never truly finding remission.

In May 2020, at the height of the pandemic, I underwent an emergency total proctocolectomy; my colon and rectum were removed, and I woke up with an ostomy; from that day on, my life would never be the same.

I'll be honest: in those first moments, I was terrified. I looked down at the clear bag on my stomach, seeing a pink piece of my intestine sticking out, and thought, This can't be my reality. Fear, confusion, grief, all of it hit me.

The early days were hard. I struggled to get a good seal, didn't know how to manage the appliances, and because it was during COVID, I couldn't even get the nursing support I needed. My mental health hit rock bottom. I felt like my life was over.

But here's the truth: my ostomy saved my life. Over time, I learned, adapted, and realized that this was not the end; it was a new beginning.

By October 2020, I had an ostomy reversal, but my time as an ostomate forever changed me. It gave me purpose. It gave me community. It showed me how powerful it can be to share our stories.

Today, I'm thankful. Thankful that I can be present with my children and my husband. Grateful that the pain of UC no longer traps me. I'm thankful that my voice, my advocacy, and my story can inspire others to see that life with an ostomy is not the end, but rather a new beginning, a life renewed.

Meet the Ostomates: 9 Stories of Strength

Victoria Tyler

World Ostomy Day is personal for me. It’s a reminder that life after surgery is still full of purpose, joy, and second chances. For me, it’s about resilience and strength. I’ve shared my journey with an ostomy openly for years—through humor, honesty, education, vulnerability and advocacy—because I want people to see that living with a bag doesn’t mean your life is over. It means you’ve survived. From becoming the first Savage X Fenty ambassador with an ostomy, to lobbying Congress, to being featured in TIME Magazine, commercials, and on magazine covers, my journey has been proof that representation matters. World Ostomy Day is about breaking the stigma and showing the world that we don’t just survive with an ostomy—we thrive.

Wish people knew: One thing I wish people understood about living with an ostomy is that it’s not something to be ashamed of—it’s literally life-saving. So many people assume it means “the end of life as you knew it,” but for most of us, it’s actually the reason we get to keep living, laughing, traveling, working, loving, and showing up for the people we care about. An ostomy doesn’t take away your identity, your beauty, or your worth. It’s just a different way our bodies function now. And honestly, many of us are stronger, more resilient, and more grateful because of it!

Advice: I’d tell someone new to life with an ostomy this: give yourself grace. The first weeks and months can feel overwhelming—you’re learning a new routine, your body looks and feels different, and it’s easy to wonder if life will ever feel “normal” again. But in time, you’ll realize your ostomy doesn’t take away from who you are—it gives you a second chance. Lean on community, ask questions, don’t be afraid of trial and error, and remember that you’re not alone. There are thousands of us out here living full, beautiful, unapologetic lives with an ostomy. You’ll get there too. I would also encourage them to get active! Advocacy has given me a new purpose and I have made so many wonderful friends in the process. I get to work with people who JUST GET IT, without fear of being judged because I have an ostomy…AND we get to make real change for others? It’s a win win!

Tina Aswani-Omprakash

“World Ostomy Day is a celebration of all of us living with ostomies. It is a culmination of all the stigma and psychosocial challenges we have overcome in having life-saving ostomy surgery. And it is a team effort to denounce all the taboos to recognize ostomies are actually lifesavers. ”

— Tina Aswani-Omprakash

Keyla Caba

For me, World Ostomy Day means visibility, connection, and strength the kind that often grows into lasting bonds and relationships. It’s about showing our faces, sharing our stories, and finding others who truly understand this journey. What once felt isolating becomes community, and what once felt heavy turns into empowerment.

Wish people knew: There is no need to see, feel, or treat us any differently. We only ask for understanding, patience, and compassion.

Advice: You are ABSOLUTELY going to be okay.

Kaylaa’ White

World Ostomy Day (and Ostomy Awareness Month) is more than a date on the calendar; it’s a celebration of the brave people who’ve undergone ostomy surgery at some point in their health journey. It’s about community, education, and awareness. While people with Inflammatory Bowel Disease make up a relatively small part of the ostomy community, having a day and month that unites us across the broader “illness and disability diaspora” is powerful. It reminds us that we’re not alone, and that our stories matter.

Wish people knew: Every day looks different. Some days I love my ostomy and the freedom it gives me; other days, I don’t. I’m not always eager to share advice or be “the example,” but I’m aware of the presence I hold in this community. One thing that’s been challenging is the way people sometimes infantilize ostomates, especially if you’re not presenting yourself in a sexual or sex-positive way (no shade, y’all be people for real, I’m shy). I’ve talked about this before, but at the end of the day, I’m a 22-year-old Black woman. Some days, I want to be called sexy by strangers online. (My friends definitely have that covered!) But sometimes “cute” doesn’t land the same, even though I truly appreciate the love and support from my community. The truth is, my ostomy has shifted the way people interact with me, especially when it’s visible. And honestly, I’m still figuring out how I feel about that. I have a lifetime with my ostomy to process and define.

Advice: I’ll share the little mantra I used to end my YouTube videos, because I still stand by it: Be kind to yourself. Listen to your body. Stay hydrated. Choosing (or needing) an ostomy is an incredibly daunting decision, even if you feel better after surgery. But please remember: you’re doing the best you can, and you’ll keep going. You are more than enough.

D’andre “Dee” Hardy

“World Ostomy Day means celebrating the gift of being alive without shame. It’s a way of taking back the shame and stigma that can often come with having an ostomy. ”

— D’andre “Dee” Hardy

Wish people knew: One thing I wish people understood about living with an Ostomy is that I am not thinking about it all the time. It’s a part of me, but not who I am.

Advice: Don’t stop being you! Celebrate the good days, make space for the bad days but don’t stop living.

Renika Wood

“Shoutout to “World Awesome Day! I don’t talk about it much, but being part of the ostomy community has been one of those hidden blessings that made me stronger, taught me patience, and reminded me to find joy in the little things. I carry it quietly, but it carries me too — and that’s pretty awesome! ”

— Renika Wood

Wish people knew: I wish people would understand that life is beautiful and totally unpredictable. Sometimes things happen out of your control, and you’re left questioning if you’ll make it through. Those moments make you realize just how precious life really is. And even when life gave me a remix, I’m dancing through it like it’s my favorite song — my strength just found a new beat, and I’m shining brighter than ever!”

Advice: One piece of advice for anyone starting this journey: be kind to yourself! How you see yourself sets the vibe for everything else. Feed your mind and heart with positivity, let your body soak it up, and remember — it’s totally okay not to be okay sometimes. Take it step by step, and when you’re ready, find that sweet spot of gratitude and acceptance. You’re a warrior for a reason!

Joe Greene

For Joe, World Ostomy Day means a second chance at life.

Wish people knew: That you can be yourself even in this situation... Fresh, Fly, & Cool.

Advice: Find someone that you can open up to & ask questions, because without me opening up & asking questions to someone who was already living this life, I would not have gained the confidence or understanding of how to LIVE LIFE with an OSTOMY BAG.

Kagan Ellis

To me, World Ostomy Day means authenticity, awareness, and holistic education of the devices that both majorly changed, and saved our lives.

Wish people knew: One thing that I wish people understood about living with an ostomy is that most of the time, stigma is the hardest part about having one. If the world was more accepting and accessible, ostomates and everyone in general would be able to unpack and unlearn the logics that make us feel ashamed of what saved us.

Advice: One piece of advice that I'd give to someone on this journey is to set your OWN rules, timeline, and standards. You broke through those of others when you overcame all that you've been through! Only our own timing and path are right for us, even if it's different. And that's okay!

Ashley “MichaelAshley” Turner

Where do I start lol. It means resilience. It means I have life. It means I’m able to LIVE! My ostomy has saved my life and I’m grateful that the world gets to see how having an ostomy doesn’t stop a thing!

Wish people knew: People automatically assume you stink lol like no that’s not how this works. You will rarely smell any Ostomate. I keep my hygiene top tier and deodorizers are my friend!

Advice: Don’t compare your journey to others. Your race is yours to run. There will be ups and downs, but give yourself grace and trust that all of this has a purpose.

Resources & Support

You are not alone. Here are some communities and tools to help:

Color of Gastrointestinal Illnesses : Diversity, inclusion, and support within the digestive health space. Join OstoChat, support group for ostomates.
United Ostomy Associations of America (UOAA): Education, advocacy, and support for people living with ostomies.
Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation: Education, research updates, and community support programs for patients and caregivers navigating Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis.
Kimberly M. Hooks Blog: A space dedicated to sharing real stories, advocacy, and inspiration for those living with IBD and digestive diseases. Through awareness, education, and community, Kimberly empowers others to live boldly and visibly with chronic illness.

Closing Thoughts

To every ostomate featured here, thank you for your courage and honesty. Your stories break stigma, build community, and show the world that ostomies are life-saving. To anyone new on this journey, your life is not over. Life with an ostomy is your second chance at living. You are not alone, and you are more resilient than you realize. On this World Ostomy Day, let’s keep telling our stories, keep breaking stigma, and keep thriving.

Life with an ostomy is LIFE.