#ostomate

[i-wheely-love-poodles]

Are you a new wheelchair user? Are you ready to pimp your ride? Here is my list of favorite things for my chair!

#1. Backpack

You can technically use any old backpack but I have a fabric back and don’t like the way they make my fabric sag. I have a Jansport Adaptive Backpack and I *LOVE* it. It could be bigger but tbh I already have a little trouble hefting it off my handles into my lap so if it was it might be too heavy for me.

#2. Pushrim covers

I love these in every season except summer. They allow for more grip and being able to propel with your palms. In the winter and rain they help protect you from cold metal.

#3. An underseat bag

I use mine to carry as needed medications, sensory stuff, and ostomy supplies. It’s awesome and I love being able to have easy reach.

#4. A Fanny pack

Maybe not needed but I use this to carry all my stuff like wallet, ID, notebook, pens, stress ball, and more. It makes it so easy to dig through to find whatever and I love feeling like a kangaroo.

[burrito-child]

Unpopular Opinion-

I’m sick to death of people telling me I’m “brave”, “strong”, “a warrior”, “a fighter”.

I am not- I’m just a person who never had a choice.

Survival is not strength. It is forced endurance.

[fir-bag]

Welcome to my side blog, y’all! You can find me on my main at @fir-fireweed, a space dedicated to my Interactive Fiction works.

This space is dedicated to my journey with my upcoming colorectal surgery, and after, adapting to my new life post-surgery with a colostomy bag. I think it will be therapeutic for me to document this journey. I am a writer, after all. I write about hope and heart and real connections. And if ever there was a time for me to seek solace and healing through writing, it’s now.

I am also eager to hear from other ostomates about their experiences. I welcome any advice, tips, and humor you can bring. I am eager to hear your stories! I want this to be a safe space for all. Understand that I will not tolerate ridicule or shaming on this blog. Be respectful, or go away.

If you followed me here from my main writing blog, thank you from the bottom of my heart! You have no idea how much your support means to me. 🫶🏻 If you stumbled upon me randomly, welcome! Pull up a chair, grab a blanket, and prepare to laugh, cry, and share all the feels. ❤️

[chronic-jessii]

Traveling via train to Austria with some friends and so far it's been pleasant. Crew was very helpful and careful with my wheelchair. So far the only awkward thing was finding something to hang my feed pump on, it's usually in a backpack attached to my wheelchair. Biggest drawback to traveling when you're disabled is the extra bag for supplies.

[b-j-d]

A throwback to 2018, when Stan Lee was only 5. Today marks 13 years. Bit crazy to think about really.

Also, why did 2018 Stan Lee Stoma look like Sam Claflin in Enola Holmes? Did Netflix steal my idea 🤣🤣🤣🤣

[liaperaza]

From about 7 months ago when I still had a colostomy. The colostomy has since been reversed

[disabled-witch]

Mending as a Natural State

Initially, I was deeply afraid that my ileostomy procedure would diminish my connection to the natural world, make me unnatural in some way. How could it not? I would have a plastic bag attached to me for the rest of my life, I would have my intestines sewn into my skin. In my mind, these adaptations were going to irreparably separate me from the natural order.

I have come to realize that this is simply untrue. What could be more natural than survival? What could be more natural than adapting to the environment that you are born into? Disability is part of nature's diversity, a part of the chaos that makes up the universe. The strive to live, the strive to build a better life, the strive to protect you and yours, that is of nature. I did not become less because of this, I am simply adapting. And that adaptation is precious.

So if anyone else needs to hear this: No matter what piece of nature's chaos you have been given, no matter what steps you need to take to adapt to this world, the drive to thrive is beautiful. Your life, in whatever form it takes, is beautiful.

[theblueboxscholar]

You know what I miss the most about not being an Ostomate? Tummy time.

I miss laying on the floor on my tummy. :[

I was always such a floor baby. One of the things Kathrine and I had in common. We both LOVED to sit or lay on the floor.

I also miss sleeping on my stomach, but it's been years so I'm used to sleeping on my back now. But... ugh. Sleeping on your tummy with your face gently cradled by a soft pillow? 🤌🏻