Petrina Barber is a fitness model, campaigner and the visionary founder behind the empowering Beyond the Stoma movement.
With unwavering dedication, she has committed her life to championing the rights and well-being of those facing health challenges, particularly individuals living with a stoma. Petrina’s own remarkable 10 year health journey is a testament to her unyielding strength, resilience, and determination to triumph over adversity, defying the odds.
Beyond the Stoma is the world’s first unbiased resource hub and community and Petrina’s ultimate goal is to position Beyond the Stoma as a global resource, empowering individuals worldwide to enhance their quality of life with a stoma.
Hannah Witton
Creator, Producer and Mentor
Hannah Witton
Hannah Witton is an award-winning online creator and author. She has been a pioneer in the sex and relationships space on YouTube, often discussing the intersections with disability, chronic illness and life with a stoma. Since finishing her sex ed work at the end of 2023, after over a decade of content, she now focuses on consulting and mentoring other online creators as well as continuing to make content around fashion, books, work and parenting.
Mollie Pearce
Disability Model and Media Star
Mollie Pearce
Mollie Pearce is best known as one of the finalists on BBC One’s The Traitors Series 2. Since then, she’s appeared on Lorraine and Loose Women (both ITV), and she presented a film for BBC One’s Morning Live to raise awareness of living with a stoma which she’s done for over 3 years. Mollie is also passionate about advocating for those with a limb difference. She’s been featured in a number of publications such as OK! and Hello magazines and has also been a guest on various radio programmes and podcasts such as the BBC Access All podcast.
Following her surgery, Mollie is enjoying being back in the gym which she feels is important for her physical and mental wellbeing. It has helped her to set goals which has enabled her to go from strength to strength. When Mollie isn’t in the gym (or being a faithful), she can be found shopping! She loves fashion which has also played a significant role in her regaining her confidence after her surgery.
Abigail Marie the Chef with IBD
Food Blogger/IBD Advocate and volunteer, & Cake Decorator
Nutritional Therapy for IBD & Publix
Abigail Marie the Chef with IBD is a professionally trained chef with an Associates in Culinary Arts and a Bachelors in Food Service Management who was diagnosed with severe left-sided ulcerative colitis in 2014 a few weeks after a head on car collision. This diagnosis turned her life upside down, but since then she has learned how to navigate life with a chronic illness and aims to share her experiences with others on her blog. She addresses diet, lifestyle, stress management, and home work balance. Come along with her on this crazy and amazing journey with chronic illness!
Shane Green
Charity Founder
Stoma heroes charity
Hi, my name is Shane, I was born in 1971, in Somerset and grew up in Glastonbury. I spent many a happy day up and around the Glastonbury tor, without a care in the world.
In May 2017 I had an emergency operation due to a perforated bowel, I tried for a reversal in the September of that year, but things didn’t go to plan so kept my ileostomy for a few more years. I used this time to create a support group and charity.
After some hard soul searching, I decided to have my stoma reversed, the decision wasn’t an easy one.
Caroline Bramwell
Ostomy Triathlete
IA
A self-confessed couch potato, Caroline turned to sport after stoma surgery. Dispelling the medical profession's 'you can't do that' attitude, Caroline has completed two 24hr cycle events, including London to Paris, and now competes in all triathlon distances up to full lronman. Caroline features in 'Fearless: Adventures with Extraordinary Women' by former BBC Breakfast Presenter, Louise Minchin, who approached Caroline to have an adventure with her. She is also the Ostomy Expert for TV's Gregg Wallace. Her story is the epitome of the self-belief that anything is possible and she has been inspiring others around the world.
Maddie White
Colorectal Clinical Nurse Specialist
University Hospitals Birmingham NHS FT
Luciana Podschun - Chairperson
Freelance consultant editor
Stoma Tips
Luciana Podschun is a freelance consultant editor to StomaTips. She started sharing her personal experiences as an ostomate with StomaTips from the very first editions and subsequently joined the team in April 2020 where she interacts and searches for inspiring stories from ostomates around the world.
Luciana is originally from Brazil, loves travelling, and lived in California prior to moving to the UK in 2019. During her free time she enjoys taking her dog Eva for long walks and when the weather is good going on hikes around the UK. She is passionate about promoting the positive influence of nutrition and exercise in the quality of life of ostomates.
Keeping a positive outlook on life despite the challenges of her ostomy has allowed Luciana to enjoy life to the fullest and take advantage of the many opportunities that life has to offer.
Katey Parsley
Clinical Nurse Advisor
Medicareplus International
Katey, a dedicated healthcare professional with over nine years of nursing experience, has evolved into a skilled clinical nurse adviser. Beginning her journey as a District Nurse at Leicestershire Partnership NHS Trust, she developed expertise in continence, stoma, and wound care over seven years. Her commitment to compassionate, high-quality healthcare earned trust and respect from colleagues and patients alike. For the past two years, Katey has served as a Clinical Nurse Adviser for Medicareplus International in the East and West Midlands, leveraging her extensive knowledge to support customers effectively. Continuously seeking growth and innovation, Katey positively impacts healthcare outcomes, one patient at a time.