Watching the Paris Olympics has been an inspiration. It has been fantastic to watch athletes from all over the world taking part in a spectacular display of skills showing just what the human body is capable of. It is worth considering too how many of these athletes went to Paris with their own personal stories; their journeys to overcome personal setbacks and physical or mental challenges. I vividly remember the 2012 London Olympics; it was the year I had my stoma operation – I received the news that I was going to need an ileostomy during the time I was in Singleton Hospital, when the Olympic torch came through Swansea, and then watching the games was an unforgettable part of my post-op recovery.
I have always enjoyed sport, football in particular having played a lot in my younger days, but having ulcerative colitis affected my life in so may ways and left me feeling so negative about my future. However, I was determined following my operation that I was going to make the most of every opportunity that headed my way and I believe I am doing just that. Thinking about the Olympic values of Excellence, Friendship and Respect- I can honestly say that being an ambassador for Respond, Pelican and Eakin has brought out the best in me with regard to those values.
Excellence: I have been pushed to go well out of my comfort zone with various public speaking engagements: Miskin Manor, swansea.com stadium, Taunton Rugby Club and especially speaking at the Senedd in front of so many important people to raise awareness of the Be The Change campaign. I have tried to become better at presenting topics in a meaningful and interesting way that will hopefully help the people who gave up their time to come to listen to me.
Friendship: The Get Together events over the last three years have demonstrated how friendship is so important. Just being in the same room as these diverse individuals holding the same values and who without having life-saving stoma surgery would probably have never met in the first place, is truly amazing. Together we have used our ostomy experiences to develop tolerance and understanding between ourselves, our families and the general public ie those who follow and support our journeys, even on on social media.
Respect: Getting to know so many fellow ostomates, their stories, their journeys, their circumstances has really shown how mutual respect is so humbling yet powerful. Together we have been able to achieve great things and put ourselves out there as positive and happy people.
As I’m now looking forward to watching the paralympics, it made me reflect a bit on my life with regard to the official Paralympic Values:
- Courage: this value is about rising above your circumstances – I have embraced challenge, and every time I’m asked to be involved in anything new I feel I have made it to something like an Olympic final. I have not let my hidden disability get the better of me. I have challenged myself mentally as mentioned above, and physically by walking miles over the years for different charities – not least Crohn’s and Colitis UK.
- Determination: I strive to never give up. I have been a fundraiser for many years and even when things aren’t going as well as I’d like, I stick to the goals I set myself and see it through. At work I never let my ileostomy stop me from enjoying my job and fulfilling the role to the best of my ability. In 2019 I won an award for being the best bus driver in Wales and was runner up in the UK bus awards so a gold and silver in one year wasn’t a bad haul!
- Inspiration: I have tried to be the best role model possible as my father was to me. As a father and grandfather I hope that I show that anything is possible if you believe in yourself and that hard work and dedication is paramount. As a Swansea bus driver, I actively encourage and support new drivers, and as my picture is on the side of some of the training buses, they know me before I know them!
- Equality: using my hidden disability as a vehicle for raising awareness and challenging perceptions and prejudice has been a vital cause for me since I had my stoma. I have been the subject of videos for First Cymru’s Month of Inclusion and Diversity and as an ambassador for First Cymru I had the honour of presenting an award on behalf of the company at the Swansea Sports Awards in 2023 to the Sportsperson of the Year with a Disability. It was such a proud moment for both my wife and I to attend the event and enjoy the celebrations.
So being a bus driver with a stoma has led to many gold medal moments for me. It really is a privilege to be involved in the photo shoots, the filming, the events, the awards; but in reality having my ostomy surgery in 2012 has been like being the flag-bearer at the Olympics for the last twelve years.
