Welcome to Stoma Chameleon
Change is Life
About The Blog
I have recently founded a registered charity called Chameleon Buddies - please visit www.chameleonbuddies.org.uk for more information!
Welcome to a place of positivity and fun, where I will show you everything that can be achieved after suffering birth trauma injuries, and with a stoma, both of which I have. A chameleon can change itself according to the situation it finds itself in, and so can we. We can do anything! There are lots of different categories of blogs where I have photos and blogs on various activities I have done. Here’s a little taster:
Half Ironman
Skydiving
Scuba diving
Open water skins swimming
Sea Kayaking
If you want to understand the true extent of my recovery, please visit category “My diary of birth trauma and stoma“, excerpts from a diary I kept during my first initial months of hell in 2011-2012, and read it in date order from the bottom. Although grim reading it explains the dark place I was in....to appreciate the light you need to understand the dark. If you just want the fun parts, jump right to the blog page and click on any link to get started with some of my activities!
The dark was then.
The light is now.
I am working closely with a foundation called Beyond Fistula - please look at the "More" drop down menu on the top and select the "Beyond Fistula" tab for more information. Some amazing stuff going on....
And finally...
SOLO CHANNEL SWIM 2023
I have a place to swim the English Channel solo in August 2023, sponsored by Hollister Incorporated and Dansac, with additional funds provided by Glynns Solicitors (Bath). I am hoping to become the first ostomate to swim the Channel!
I am fundraising for my new charity, Chameleon Buddies. We support women in the UK and in Kenya who have either injuries from childbirth or ostomies. In Kenya, they are forced to use plastic bags and tin cans instead of stoma bags, so we send out surplus stoma supplies to them. Please visit Chameleon Buddies for more information.
THANK YOU FOR READING!
Keep smiling,
Gill Castle
**This site is being continually updated, coming soon will be advice for ostomates who want to know the practical side of how to do all the things I have done with a bag. Please contact me if you have anything you would like me to cover. Thanks Gill**
First bikini outing, summer solstice 2020. Euphoric.
Never let your doubts stop you trying anything – just give it a go and don’t look back!
Gill Castle
The Mummy MOT 9th September 2020
Tweeted 3.2.22
" Asked a patient with severe birth trauma to attend @GILLIANCASTLE3 webinar for us this week, she came in smiling today. Said she now feels there is hope of recovery and it is the first time in three months she has felt positive at all. Thank you x"
Pelvic Roar
I think you’re so brave doing this and doing it warts and all! Hopefully this will give reassurance and confidence to others to get out there and just do it stoma and all. So what if things go abit awry sometimes you’ve shown that it’s possible to live a ‘normal’ life. Your blog is hilarious and uplifting and I’m sure will inspire others to ‘just do it’ I look forward to more escapades. Good luck!
Helen Marie
It's great to read about positivity with a stoma. It's a pain, and it's a worry, and nothing changes that. And it gets people down, which is understandable. But it does not stop the majority of people getting a lot out of life. Positive role models like you really, really help. Keep telling your story! And all of the best people are open water swimmers....
Steve W
Coping with a stoma can be so difficult & there’s times when it sort of takes over who you are & what you think you can achieve...that’s why I love this page. Find your warts & all posts inspirational, funny, informative & your positivity just shines through
Karen S
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