WORLD OSTOMY DAY 2026 • MEDIA RESOURCE

Life with a stoma didn't make my world smaller.

I'm Imali Chislett, a twenty-five year old Bournemouth-based content creator, business owner living with a stoma.

For World Ostomy Day, I'm sharing the life that happens after stoma surgery: running a business, travelling, creating content, working with brands and talking openly whilst advocating.

From major surgery to a very full life

In April 2024, I underwent a emergency lifesaving surgery and began life with an ileostomy. It was a huge change, and learning to live with a stoma has included its fair share of difficult days as well as liberating ones.

Today my stoma comes with me while I co-run Inkfire, travel, make disability and lifestyle content, attend events and work with brands. I want people facing stoma surgery to be able to see more than the operation itself. I want them to see the life afterwards.

“A full life with a stoma doesn't have to look extraordinary. Sometimes it simply looks like getting dressed, going to work, getting on a train, laughing with friends and making plans for the future without hesitation.”

REPRESENTATION MATTERS

Barbie has had more than 250 careers. Could her next first be a stoma?

For World Ostomy Day, I’m calling on Mattel to create a Barbie with a stoma.

Stomas save lives, but they’re still rarely represented in the toys children grow up with. For a child facing stoma surgery, or growing up with a parent, sibling or friend who has one, seeing a stoma on one of the world’s most recognisable dolls could make something unfamiliar feel a little more ordinary.

Barbie has represented different body types, disabilities and medical experiences. I’d love to see ostomates represented too.

My call to Mattel is simple: give Barbie a stoma.

THE LIFE AFTERWARDS

A bag for life

At every major life event, my stoma is there. You don't get to 'leave it at home'. It's a 24/7 commitment.

It comes to work with me.

I co-run Inkfire, a marketing and IT company, and regularly work, speak, create and meet people while managing life with an ileostomy.

It travels with me.

My stoma has been part of trips, accessible travel, hotels, days out and the ordinary logistics of getting from A to B.

Even when I'm having fun.

Dancing, seeing friends and leaving the house are all things I get to enjoy since having my bag.

It has difficult days with me too.

Absorption concerns, Inflammatory issues, confidence and finding products that work can all be part of the picture. Awareness should make space for the difficult bits as well as the good ones.

Learn more

Stoma life, in my own words

Replace these blocks with YouTube embeds from your existing content. Three strong videos is plenty for a journalist or producer who wants to understand your story quickly.

My stoma story

I actually have not one, but two bags - education about what they're both for, what they do and how they support me whilst raising awareness.

What everyday life actually looks like

How the world looks from my perspective since my surgery.

Travel with medical needs

What I actually have to think about and hacks I've learnt along the way.

What I want people to know

“My stoma didn't make my life smaller, the IBD did that by itself. The stoma became a way to rebuild what I had already lost."

“You can't always tell that somebody has a stoma by looking at them, and that's exactly why wider representation of invisible disabilities matters.”

“I want someone facing stoma surgery to be able to see people working, travelling, dressing how they want and getting on with life and know they'll get there too."

AMBASSADOR WORK

Working with Coloplast

I'm a Coloplast Ambassador and use my platform to talk openly about the practical and emotional reality of living with a stoma.

My ambassador work sits alongside my wider disability and lifestyle content, with a focus on honest experiences, confidence and helping people feel less alone while they find what works for them.

FOR JOURNALISTS, PRODUCERS & PODCASTERS

Media resources

Looking for a guest, case study or contributor for a story about stomas, disability, work, travel or body confidence? This page is designed as a starting point.

Topics I can discuss

Life before and after stoma surgery
Body confidence and clothing with an ileostomy
Travelling with a stoma
Running a business while disabled
Working and creating content with chronic illness
Stoma myths and misconceptions
Disability representation online

Interview availability

Based: Bournemouth, Dorset but with frequent travel all over the UK and further!
Available for: TV, radio, podcasts, print and online interviews
Remote interviews: Yes
In-person: By arrangement but happy to!

Press photos

A white woman in a ditzy floral dress, sitting in a light blue wheelchair with pink wheels. She is pushing the wheelchair down a silver ramp. This post highlights the lack of accessible housing for disabled people.

FEEL FREE TO USE. PHOTO CRED: Imali Chislett

FEEL FREE TO USE. PHOTO CRED: Imali Chislett

FEEL FREE TO USE. PHOTO CRED: Phoebe Andrighetto

ABOUT IMALI

Bournemouth creator, business owner and disability advocate

Imali Chislett is a Bournemouth-based disability lifestyle content creator and co-founder of Inkfire, a disabled-led marketing and IT company. Through Mali & Me, she shares honest content about disability, travel, work, everyday life and living with an ileostomy. She is also a Coloplast Ambassador and is available for media interviews, features, podcasts and broadcast contributions.

Media enquiry?

Feel free to message me via social media or pop me an email at [email protected]

Contact Imali

PRESS SUMMARY

The story in 30 seconds

Bournemouth content creator Imali Chislett is using World Ostomy Day to challenge assumptions about life with a stoma, sharing how she runs a business, travels, creates content and works as a Coloplast Ambassador while living with an ileostomy.

AT A GLANCE

Key facts

Bournemouth

Based in Bournemouth, Dorset, UK.

Ileostomy

Living with an ileostomy following major bowel surgery due to having ulcerative coltis. She also has a Mucus fistula.

Business owner

Co-founder of Inkfire, a disabled-led marketing and IT company.

Coloplast Ambassador

Creates honest content about the practical and emotional reality of stoma life.

WHY I'M SHARING THIS

The story isn't that I have a stoma.

The story is what life looks like with one. I run a business. I travel. I create content. I go to events. I wear the clothes I want to wear. Sometimes my stoma is barely a consideration, and sometimes it completely changes my plans.

I don't want to portray stoma life as endlessly positive. I want to show that it can be complicated, frustrating, funny, ordinary and most importantly_, full.

MEDIA & COLLABORATIONS