A stoma is not a death sentence, but a new stage in life that can be filled with achievements, joy, and success. Today we will tell you about people who have proven that medical conditions should not limit dreams and ambitions.
Maria Andersen — Chef from Copenhagen
33-year-old Maria received an ostomy in 2019 after a severe case of Crohn’s disease. Instead of giving up her beloved profession, she opened her own restaurant specializing in healthy cuisine. “The ostomy taught me to appreciate every day and gave me a new perspective on nutrition,” says Maria. Today, her restaurant holds a Michelin rating, and she leads cooking workshops and writes books on healthy eating.
Thomas Dederson — Marathon Runner from Munich
After undergoing surgery to remove part of his intestine at age 28, Thomas didn’t just return to running—he came back stronger. Over the past three years, he has completed 12 marathons, including the Boston and Berlin marathons. “The ostomy doesn’t stop me from running—on the contrary, it gave me new motivation,” the athlete asserts. Thomas actively participates in charity runs and has raised over €50,000 to support people with ostomies.
Elena Koteski — Model and Activist from Warsaw
26-year-old Elena became the first model with an ostomy to sign a contract with a major modeling agency in Europe. Since her surgery in 2021, she proudly shows her ostomy in photo shoots, becoming a symbol of body positivity. “Beauty doesn’t depend on whether you have an ostomy or not,” says Elena. She launched an educational campaign on social media that has reached over one million people.
Jean-Pierre Goller — Entrepreneur from Lyon
A successful businessman, Jean-Pierre received an ostomy at age 45 following a diagnosis of rectal cancer. It didn’t stop him from expanding his eco-hotel chain throughout France. “The illness showed me that time is the most valuable resource,” reflects Jean-Pierre. He also founded a support fund for cancer patients and finances research into new treatment methods.
Sofia Rossic — Artist from Florence
29-year-old artist Sofia transformed her experience living with an ostomy into art. Her exhibition “The Beauty of Imperfection” travels across galleries in Europe, showing how medical devices can be part of aesthetics. “The ostomy changed how I see the body and beauty,” explains Sofia. Her works are purchased by collectors, and she teaches art therapy for people with chronic illnesses.
These stories prove that an ostomy is not a barrier to a full life. The key is finding support, embracing change, and continuing to pursue your goals.
- Comments:
- @EmmaLondon2024: “Such inspiring stories! My sister has an ostomy and she’s completing her PhD in biochemistry. These examples show that life doesn’t stop, it just changes direction.”
- @OlivierBelgique: “As someone living with a stoma for 5 years, I can confirm – adaptation is key. I’m now running my own consulting firm and couldn’t be happier with my achievements.”
- @AnnaVienna: “Thank you for sharing these positive stories. Too often we only hear about challenges, but success stories are equally important for newly diagnosed patients.”
- @LucasMadrid: “My father had ostomy surgery last year at 60. Seeing these examples gives our whole family hope that he can still pursue his dreams of traveling and photography.”