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’d like to start this article with a caveat. My perspective, as someone who has an ileostomy, has been shaped by my previous experience living with Crohn’s disease. As a result, I can appreciate that other ostomate teachers who have another type of stoma, or who have gotten a stoma for different reasons, may feel differently about their stoma experience than I do.
My stoma has enabled me to do a lot. I have been able to continue with my job, help inform the next generation of students about hidden disabilities, and raise awareness of what stomas are to an influential audience. My stoma does not get in my way at work or cause any adverse effects on my ability to fulfil my role. In fact, in my particular circumstances, it has allowed me to be more present in the room, both physically and mentally.
So, I guess a little background will help to give some context. I was diagnosed with Crohn’s disease in 2009. Shortly after that, in September 2010, I began teacher training to teach secondary school biology to 11–18-year-olds. If you have any knowledge of Crohn’s disease or inflammatory bowel disease in general, you might appreciate that this was a significant challenge. Being trained to teach, while experiencing the constant scrutiny, observations, self-doubt and steep learning curve, all while under the watchful and testing eye of teenagers, is a challenge for anyone. Throw in a newly diagnosed chronic disease that leaves you with urgent toilet issues, pain, tiredness, weight loss and significant related anxieties, and you have a perfect boiling pot of trouble. However, I was fortunate that the medication I was put on at the time worked fairly well and the stress I was under at the time (fortunately) was not enough to throw me off course.
As a biology teacher, I had always been very open about my experience with Crohn’s disease. In those early days, it was not so well known in the public and certainly not within the teenage population, as social media was not what it is today. As a result, I felt it was my purpose and responsibility to shed some light and inform my students. I wanted to ensure that they were prepared in case they came across someone in their life now or in the future that also had it, or in case any of them developed it themselves.
I think this openness is what laid the foundations for my openness to surgery preparation and easy return to work following my eventual stoma surgery in 2022. As I could make direct links to what I teach, I was in a very fortunate position to inform my pupils about what I experienced and what they might come to expect from me and my stoma. I found this openness vital in making me feel comfortable in the classroom. I certainly didn’t want to hide it, as the thought of an uncontrollable squeaky parp from Stan the Stoma in front of a quiet and busily working class who were unaware of my lack of control over these things was a situation I did not want to be in!
At the same time, I was concerned that my bag might leak, fill quickly during lessons or become noticeable. The best solution I came up with was to be open about it all, so that my pupils were aware and if those things ever happened, they would not make a big deal of it. For me, these views and tactics worked wonders. I have not looked back since, and my classroom has become my ‘safety zone’. No question about my stoma is off limits to those inquisitive young minds; at the end of the day, I believe that sharing really is caring!
Beyond standing in front of my pupils with my new stoma bag, I knew I had to be open with my colleagues and management team. I quickly found myself feeling uncomfortable going back to my usual work attire: a shirt, tie and suit. The sensation of having to wear a shirt and tuck my stoma bag into my trousers, which meant it lost half the volume, was not one I was comfortable with. I started worrying about potential leaks and bulges as the bag filled. I knew that I couldn’t go on like this, so I requested a change to my expected uniform/work attire. After some frank and honest discussions, we settled on a suit and polo shirt. This gave me the comfort and security I wanted as I used my stoma wraps or belts, while retaining the smart business-style attire that the school desired.
After this, the next workplace hurdle was to request some modifications to the toilet in my working area. New locks were added to doors and a shelf was installed (on my request), giving me peace of mind in case I ever needed to change my stoma bag at work.
Openness and honesty with those that I work with has enabled me to largely see past my stoma at work and get on with my job. From having had Crohn’s disease, which ended in incontinence and extreme urgency, I was now able to be present in my classroom for an entire lesson, something that just was not possible in the build up to my surgery.
So, what’s my perspective of life with a stoma as a teacher? Well, if you are honest about what could happen and what you need, you will find that people are understanding, compassionate and caring, and that the necessary adjustments can be made so you can just get on with your job.