At 35, I am a wife, mother, dance teacher, local Trafalgar business owner, and community advocate who survived multiple life-threatening episodes of sepsis, underwent major surgeries, and now lives with an ileostomy.
Today, I am on a mission to break the stigma, and raise awareness, of Crohn’s Disease, ostomies, ulcerative Colitis, medical devices, and invisible disabilities in and across Australia.
Despite my illnesses, I am an advocate, business owner, wife, and mother of two young children.
Similar to many other people with the same conditions, my journey has been one of resilience, determination, and learning to rebuild life after significant health challenges.
Over the past several years, I have endured life-threatening medical complications, including multiple episodes of sepsis caused by a pelvic abscess, extensive hospitalisations, major surgeries, and the life-changing reality of living with an ileostomy.
Despite these challenges, I continue to advocate for others living with Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) and invisible disabilities while balancing family life, community involvement, and my career.
As a peer support volunteer with Crohn’s & Colitis Australia, I regularly connect with people who are navigating similar experiences.
One of the most common themes I hear is that many individuals feel isolated, misunderstood, and reluctant to speak openly about their condition due to stigma and lack of public awareness.
I have been inspired by the incredible work of UK advocate, Mr Crohn’s Colitis, who has helped bring national attention to IBD and ostomy awareness.
I would love to help create similar conversations throughout Australia, encouraging people to speak openly about bowel disease, stomas, medical devices, and invisible disabilities without shame or embarrassment (Watch here – https://www.instagram.com/reel/DYaCEfLtgcM/).
Through television, radio, podcasts, print media, and social media campaigns, I hope to raise awareness of:
• Crohn’s Disease and Ulcerative Colitis and their impact on daily life;
• living with an ostomy and breaking the stigma surrounding stoma bags and medical devices;
• the challenges faced by Australians living with invisible disabilities;
• the importance of early diagnosis, quality healthcare, and patient advocacy;
• mental health impacts associated with chronic illness and major surgery;
• the realities of parenting, working, teaching, and contributing to the community while managing chronic disease; and
• building greater understanding, compassion, and inclusion for people whose disabilities cannot always be seen.
I am also the founder of Bobbie, Polly & IBD, an advocacy initiative dedicated to sharing lived experiences, educating the community, supporting patients, and empowering others to find their voice.
Through my advocacy, I hope to show that while chronic illness may change a person’s path, it does not define their potential.
My story is not only about illness—it is about survival, resilience, advocacy, motherhood, and creating positive change. It is about learning to dance again after life-changing surgery, continuing to teach and inspire others, and proving that life with an ostomy can still be full, meaningful, and empowering.
I believe there is an important opportunity to educate Australians, challenge misconceptions, and encourage open conversations around topics that are often considered uncomfortable but affect hundreds of thousands of people nationwide.
I would welcome the opportunity to participate in interviews, feature stories, awareness campaigns, panel discussions, podcasts, radio segments, television appearances, or collaborative social media initiatives.
Together, we can help ensure that Australians living with Crohn’s Disease, Colitis, ostomies, and invisible disabilities are seen, heard, understood, and represented.
