Daisy, 15, from Redditch in Worcestershire, is like many teenage girls who enjoy experimenting with fashion. However, her journey with clothing took a different turn after undergoing surgery for a painful bowel condition called ulcerative colitis when she was just nine years old. The condition caused severe stomach aches, diarrhoea, and bleeding, and the surgery left Daisy with a stoma – an opening in her stomach that allows waste to be collected in a stoma bag.

Despite these challenges, Daisy continues to embrace her love for fashion. "I literally wear bikinis on holiday, I can wear whatever I want," she says with confidence. Daisy is under the care of Birmingham Children’s Hospital, where she is participating in an upcoming event to raise awareness of young people living with stomas.

In March of the previous year, fashion students from South & City College Birmingham teamed up with Birmingham Children's Hospital to design adaptive clothing for children with complex mobility needs. The clothing featured thoughtful details like magnetic buttons and side zips, making it easier for children to dress independently. This collaboration culminated in a fashion show where young patients proudly modelled the adaptive outfits.

Building on the success of that initiative, Andrea Jester, an upper limb plastic surgeon at the hospital, is planning another fashion show with a specific focus on young people with stomas. According to Andrea, many children at the hospital have stoma bags, but they often struggle to find clothing that accommodates their needs.

"I could see that they can't wear clothing like other children – high waisted, low waisted, or baggy clothing. A lot of children really want to wear fashionable clothes, but they feel limited," she explains.

This upcoming fashion show aims to highlight how young people with stomas can still wear trendy and stylish clothing, just like any other child. The event is not only about fashion but also about celebrating confidence and raising awareness of the challenges these young individuals face in a society that often overlooks their needs.

The event promises to be an empowering experience, showcasing that with the right clothing, everyone, regardless of their health condition, can feel fashionable and confident.