Today is World Ostomy Day, and honestly, this day means more to me than I can fully express. Every three years, ostomates around the globe come together on the first Saturday of October to raise awareness, share our stories, and remind the world that we're here, we're thriving, and we deserve to be seen.

This year's theme, "Invisible Disabilities: Visible Support – The Global Unity of Ostomates," hits especially close to home. Because here's the thing about having an ostomy: most people have no idea I have one. I can walk down the street, sit in a coffee shop, or attend a meeting, and no one knows that under my clothes, I'm managing an invisible medical device that quite literally saves my life every day.

The Weight of Invisibility

Living with an invisible disability is a strange experience. On one hand, I'm grateful that I can choose when and how to disclose my ostomy. I don't face immediate visual judgment or unsolicited questions from strangers. But on the other hand, this invisibility comes with its own challenges.

When people can't see your disability, they often can't understand it. They don't get why you need to use the accessible washroom when you "look fine." They don't understand why you're exhausted after what seems like a normal day. They question whether you really need workplace accommodations or medical leave. The invisibility that protects us can also isolate us.

"Having the support of an influential brand like American Eagle to promote positive ostomy awareness has already changed lives." – Gaylyn Henderson, ostomy advocate and Aerie campaign model

Why World Ostomy Day Matters

This is exactly why World Ostomy Day is so crucial for our community. It's the one day where we collectively make the invisible visible. It's when we step out of the shadows and say, "This is part of who I am, and it's nothing to be ashamed of."

For me personally, World Ostomy Day represents:

The Global Unity We're Building

What I love most about this year's theme is the emphasis on "global unity." Living with an ostomy can feel incredibly isolating, especially for young adults. Traditional support groups often don't reflect our experiences or our lifestyle. We're navigating dating, career building, social events, and all the unique challenges of young adulthood, all while managing our ostomies.

But World Ostomy Day reminds us that we're part of a global community. From North America to Europe, Asia to Australia, young ostomates are facing similar challenges and finding similar solutions. We're learning from each other, supporting each other, and advocating for each other across borders and time zones.

Creating Visible Support

The "visible support" part of this year's theme is equally important. It's not enough for the world to simply know that ostomies exist. We need visible, tangible support systems. We need:

World Ostomy Day is when we collectively advocate for these needs. It's when we educate policymakers, healthcare providers, employers, and the general public about what support actually looks like for ostomates.

My Hope for the Future

As I reflect on what World Ostomy Day means to me, I think about the future I want to see. I want a world where young people getting ostomy surgery don't feel alone or afraid. I want them to find immediate access to peer support from people who understand their unique challenges. I want them to see themselves represented in advertising, social media, and popular culture.

I want workplaces where requesting ostomy-related accommodations is as straightforward as requesting any other medical accommodation. I want dating to feel less daunting because society has normalized conversations about invisible disabilities. I want young ostomates to travel the world without fear, knowing that support and understanding await them wherever they go.

Obviously, I'm not a doctor or medical professional, just someone who lives this every day. But what I know from experience is that awareness leads to understanding, and understanding leads to support. World Ostomy Day is our annual opportunity to plant seeds of awareness that will grow into the support systems we need.

How You Can Get Involved

If you're reading this and you have an ostomy, I encourage you to share your story today, in whatever way feels comfortable. Post on social media using #WorldOstomyDay and #InvisibleDisabilities. Talk to a friend or family member about your experience. Join a virtual support group. Your voice matters, and your story has the power to help someone else feel less alone.

If you don't have an ostomy but want to support this community, take some time today to learn about what ostomates face. Share our stories. Advocate for accessible facilities and affordable healthcare. Challenge stigma when you encounter it. Your support makes a real difference in making the invisible visible.

World Ostomy Day only comes around every three years, but the work of awareness and advocacy continues every single day. Today, we celebrate how far we've come. Tomorrow, we keep building toward the future we deserve. A future where invisible disabilities receive visible support, and where every ostomate knows they're part of a global community that has their back.

Here's to making the invisible visible, together.