A woman who was devastated to hear that a 10-year-old boy committed suicide after being teased for needing a stoma, has launched her mission to prove people with a colostomy bag don't smell.
Annie Jenkins uploaded an emotional post to Facebook after hearing about the death of Seven Bridges from America who hanged himself after his classmates made fun of him for wearing a colostomy bag.
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The 30-year-old had her own stoma fitted after suffering from a paralysed colon and is currently waiting for further surgery.
However, she is desperate to raise awareness of the 'invisible illness' after hearing about tragic Seven.
Posting an emotional message on social media along with two pictures of herself pointing at her stoma bag Annie emphasised that people with bags don't smell.
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The message has been shared 30,000 times and attracted hundreds of comments praising her for her bravery in speaking out.
Annie from Cornwall, said: "I've had a stoma now for three years and have always campaigned to raise awareness about it.
"Us ostomates are not aliens, we are not bully victims, we do not smell, we do are not any different to anyone else.
"We just may lack organs others have and put simply we sh*t into a bag that's stuck to our stomach rather than in the toilet.
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"I saw the devastating news about a 10-year-old boy taking his own life in America because of bullying about his stoma. I have a 10-year-old son and this really got to me, I can't even begin to imagine what his parents are feeling.
"People really need educating for this bullying to stop. Everyone thinks if you wear a stoma bag you must stink but this is a shocking view and shows the uneducated world we live in.
"I've had a few messages telling me that I'm vile and that I don't deserve to have children but there has been by far more support than hate."
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She said that despite the stigma surrounding stomas, it has by far improved her life.
Annie added: "There are some days I hate it and myself but my quality of life now is amazing. I'm no longer or pain killers or in a lot of pain. I don't spend hours and hours on the toilet anymore.
"There are some days when I have to stay close to home but this is one in 30 as opposed to the 29 out of 30 it was before."
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Annie added that she's been overwhelmed by the response she's received from her post: "I've now had close to 30,000 shares, I didn't think it'd be shared once. I've had such an overwhelming response and so many messages in my private inbox.
"People have thanked me for being a voice, and I'm just going to keep trying to raise as much awareness as possible and hopefully prevent a repeat of what happened in America."
Featured Image Credit: SWNSTopics: Life News, Real, Health