'I was inspired to talk about my stoma by nine-year-old girl'

Alan Lamb said seeing how bravely nine-year-old Katie has spoken about her stoma inspired him to speak about his

Alan Lamb's life changed for the better after he had a stoma fitted three years ago, but getting used to talking about it publicly has been a tougher operation.

The Leeds city councillor, who represents Wetherby, felt unable to speak openly about the procedure, which had relieved the symptoms of the bowel condition ulcerative colitis.

Yet it was meeting a nine-year-old girl, who also lives with a stoma, that has enabled him to talk publicly about his experiences for the first time.

Mr Lamb and Katie spoke to the BBC about living with a stoma to mark Stoma Awareness Day.

Mr Lamb, 48, said the aftermath of his stoma surgery was a "difficult" period of change, but that Katie, who had hers fitted 18 months ago, had been an "inspiration" to him.

Katie has been campaigning for more awareness of bowel conditions and to remove the stigma surrounding them.

They are among 3,000 people in Leeds living with stomas.

Mr Lamb said: "Meeting Katie made me decide to put my big boy pants on and talk about it."

A stoma is an opening on the surface of the abdomen which has been surgically created to divert the flow of faeces or urine, which is collected in a changeable bag.

It allows sufferers of a number of illnesses to live without needing regular trips to the toilet, and gives them the freedom to participate in activities that would otherwise be difficult for them. For Katie, this means playing football and days out with her family.

Before she had her stoma fitted, she was unable to go to events such as Pudsey Festival because she felt too ill.

Katie had struggled with her bowel from birth and doctors initially assumed she had an intolerance or allergy, but after tests it was clear she was severely impacted and medication was not helping.

In April 2024, she had her stoma operation due to chronic constipation, slow transit bowel and dysmotility.

Since having her surgery she said she "feels more alive" because she could do things she couldn't before and travel to places she hadn't seen.

She added: "It is not something to be disgusted or ashamed about because it has given me my life back."

Mr Lamb said before his own surgery he struggled to leave his flat because he needed the toilet up to 35 times a day, and couldn't guarantee he would be near one at all times.

He was originally tested for bowel cancer before doctors diagnosed ulcerative colitis - but his case was so severe that his colon was at risk of bursting, and he required emergency surgery.

The businessman owns a pub, The Fox and Hounds in Walton, near Wetherby.

He said: "Life with a stoma is challenging, it's not been easy but it has given me my life back."

Katie first met up with the Conservative councillor after she wrote to him, and he invited her to visit Leeds Civic Hall.

He said he was keen to hear her ideas for how to make Leeds a stoma-friendly city.

"Katie is much braver than I am at talking about it. I had my surgery three years ago and it feels with Stoma Awareness Day it is a good time to talk about it.

"I have been inspired by Katie, and Lynn Morgan who was a big campaigner in Leeds for the city to be stoma-friendly.

"It's important that people know it's not the end of your life - it gives you back your life."

A spokesperson from Colostomy UK said: "Katie's openness and bravery are truly inspiring.

"By talking honestly about her stoma, not only is she helping to break down stigma and encouraging others to speak openly about their own experiences, but she's paving the way for future generations to grow up in a society that understands stomas, recognises the challenges people face, and celebrates that people with stomas can and should lead full, active lives."

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