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 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 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!

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.

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.

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, 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.

Kalpana has had Ulcerative Colitis for 14 years. Unfortunately this never went into remission which led to a lot of different types of medications and an extremely restrictive diet. She underwent unplanned ileostomy surgery at the end of 2019 with many complications ensuing, meaning a long recovery, though with that came the discovery and support of the Birmingham Ileostomy Association and a better quality of life.

Subsequently, Kalpana became a committee member in 2021 supporting with social media, coffee mornings, supplier events and presenting to healthcare professionals and the wider IA community. She is also a trained One2One support volunteer providing support to individuals who are considering or who have recently had surgery. Kalpana has worked extensively in education and training over her career and works full time as a People and Organisational Development Consultant in Higher Education alongside her contributions to the Ileostomy Association.