Here’s the truth, 6 years+ with an Ostomy & chronic illness and I still struggle to manage it. It has got easier sure, but it’s never straight forward. (TW, disordered eating, chronic illness) Yesterday I didn’t eat for 12 hours because I wanted to wear this tight fitting skirt and didn’t know how accessible the bathrooms would be, where they would be or how long it would take me to get to them. (Ostomates, if you know you know!) I walked with the group from location to location but knew it would mean I would likely not have the spoons to stay for the entire event. I am so grateful for my stoma. It has given me so much freedom, and taken me to amazing places, (such as the White House!) But the reality is I am still trying to figure out how to live with being chronically ill & having this little thing on my stomach. I also struggle to talk about it and ask for access requirements, and why I wish more companies and brands would ask for access requirements rather than us as individuals having to pose the question first, Because disclosure is hard, and I personally don’t want to feel like I am getting in the way or being difficult. That small question of “do you have an access requirements?” can make such a huge difference. Image description, Keely is wearing a blue suit standing on a red carpet in front of double doors with USA flags beside them. She is in a regal hall within the White House. #Spoons #Stoma #ChronicIllness #Ostomy #MentalHealth #GAAD #Accessibility #Access #Disabled #Disability #RepresentationMatters #MTV #btwfoundation