Intuitively, Dana Marie knew that life after stoma surgery could mean one of two things.
She could either choose to live in fear and feel victimised by her disease, or she could choose to lean into love and allow her wounds to transform her. She could allow light to shine through the brokenness. Fortunately, she chose to lean into love!
But in 2012, fear had her in a headlock. Due to the severity of her Crohn’s Disease, Dana had to undergo surgery to have her colon removed. The one thing she was most afraid of was losing her ability to love and be loved. She wasn’t sure how anyone could ever love her or how she could ever learn to love herself. At the time, having a stoma seemed like the end of the world.
Dana began to explore what it was that truly brought joy and love into her life. Ultimately, she discovered those things in music, faith and helping others through sharing her story.
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Dana knew that if she could learn to fully love herself - stoma bag and all - then she would never lose her ability to love or be loved. In her heart, she knew that her security and self worth couldn’t rely on anything external, including her own body. Her identity had to be based on something much stronger than that. And so began her greatest adventure.
Dana began to explore what it was that truly brought joy and love into her life. Ultimately, she discovered those things in music, faith and helping others through sharing her story. In 2016, Dana made the bold move to Nashville to pursue music full time.
Today, through her platform as a singer/songwriter, Dana empowers young women to see past their so-called imperfections. She inspires them to dream bigger and share their unique gifts with the world. Dana knows that when we choose to shine, we give others permission to do the same. She is in awe of the way that her stoma, the thing she was most afraid of, has not inhibited her. In fact, it has actually given her the courage to live more boldly than she ever dreamed possible. Having a stoma has changed Dana’s perception of the world and given her an even deeper compassion for others.
Now that’s something to sing about. Dana likes to think that everyone has a stoma, in some sense. Everyone has a story, a wound, a brokenness that they fear will deem them unlovable. But, when we choose to own our wounds and soak them in love, we can transform them from darkness into light.
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Featured Articles
10/10/2024
me plus Community
Travel
Travelling with a Stoma Bag: What to Pack
The idea of taking long trips with an ostomy may seem daunting at first. But with a little extra preparation, you can enjoy the trip of a lifetime! Here’s our tips below to help make packing for your next adventure a little easier.
Read more04/12/2024
Everyday life
Travel
Road Trips with a Stoma
Now that you have an ostomy, the idea of taking long trips can seem daunting. But with a little extra preparation, you can enjoy the trip of a lifetime.
Read more11/12/2024
Travel
Stoma Travel Tips
Extra security precautions are being taken at airports and other transit hubs worldwide. A little pre-planning and understanding of both security rules and your right to privacy can help you avoid problems in transit and enjoy your travels.
Read more12/12/2024
Diet
Everyday life
Living with a Stoma: Hydration
Learn about the importance of hydration when living with a stoma. Our guide provides tips on fluid intake, recognising dehydration symptoms, and more.
Read more12/12/2024
Fashion
Fashion Tips for Men Living with a Stoma
After stoma surgery you can wear the same clothes as anyone else – and do it with style! Here are some fashion tips for men living with a stoma.
Read more11/12/2024
Fashion
Fashion tips for women living with a stoma
Here are some practical fashion tips from Jearlean Taylor, a successful model, author, and businesswoman who has never known life without an ostomy.
Read more16/12/2024
Everyday life
Tips for Managing Anxiety After Stoma Surgery
One of the biggest worries for people who have recently had stoma surgery is what other people will think.
Read more16/12/2024
Everyday life
Returning to Work with a Stoma
From industrial jobs to the classroom, from long shifts at the hospital to dancers – and all workplaces in between – people living with a stoma are successfully returning to work following stoma surgery.
Read more22/01/2025
Everyday life
Back to school with a stoma
As your child begins to recover from ostomy surgery, it is normal for them to feel fearful or anxious about their needs when going back to school.
Read more11/12/2024
Activity
Exercise After Stoma Surgery: Back to Basics
No matter what level of physical activity you want to pursue, stoma surgery shouldn’t hold you back.
Read more12/12/2024
Everyday life
Bathing or showering with a Stoma
Showering or bathing with a stoma should not interfere with your regular cleaning routine. Here are some tips on bathing or showering with a stoma.
Read more16/12/2024
Everyday life
Peristomal Skin Care
Knowing how to identify irritated skin around your stoma early and keeping it healthy could help avoid greater complications and make for a stress-free experience with your stoma.
Read more