Introduce yourself.
My name is Emma, and my pronouns are she/her. I started doing Lyra and Sling this year, and I’ve just started doing Pole as well! My goals are to keep having fun.
Tell us about your condition.
I was diagnosed with Crohn’s disease as a child and I got used to what I could and couldn’t do. Then, at the age of 20, I needed to get an ileostomy. The surgery was freeing. Before surgery, I was very limited to what I could do and where I could go. I always needed a toilet nearby. My ileostomy gave me freedom; it made my life better. Now I can sit and watch a whole movie!
An ileostomy is a surgical opening in the abdominal wall, typically made when the colon is removed. The stoma is covered with an ileostomy bag that collects faecal matter.
How does your condition impact your classes?
It doesn’t impact my classes a lot at the moment! I have been very sick for most of my life, but for the last few years, I am the healthiest I have ever been. I did feel really nervous to have an ileostomy and come to class, especially pole classes. Aerials seemed easier for me to attend because it felt like it was more about moving than being sexy.
I came to Sky Sirens and found that it is so inclusive and welcoming of all bodies.
I felt more confident to try pole, and one day burlesque. I want to keep enjoying myself in my classes. I am stronger than I have ever been, which feels awesome when I have been so sick from Crohn’s.
What would you like people to know about Crohn’s disease and ostomies?
I want there to be more awareness that people under 50 have ostomies. I recently did a research project on people with stomas and so many others struggle after surgery. Awareness would help!
