Instagram bikini selfies are a dime a dozen. There are probably more floating around the Internet than cat videos, or Game of Thrones memes. But – and we really never thought we would say that – this is a bikini selfie with a greater purpose.
It wasn’t taken to sell a celebrity’s ghost-written book. It wasn’t taken to inspire young girls to reach a goal weight. It was taken to show that women should be comfortable in their own skin.
This is 23-year-old Bethany Townsend. She lives in Worcester, England. And, since the age of three, she has had Crohn’s Disease (which is a type of inflammatory bowel disease).
That thing on her stomach is her colostomy bag. Townsend was recently fitted with the bag as part of her ongoing treatment for the illness, which attacks the digestive system affecting the sufferer’s ability to process food and waste.
Her picture has been viewed millions of times since it was posted on the Crohn’s and Colitis UK Facebook group.
Townsend was overwhelmed by the reaction. The former model told The Huffington Post:
“I’m just so glad that it’s brought about more awareness of Crohn’s disease and it’s made me feel so much more confident about the colostomy bags.
“If I can inspire or help other people in my position to feel a little more comfortable in their own skin then I’m really happy.
“When I first had the bags fitted I was devastated – the reaction to this photo has really helped me accept them.”
The picture has also prompted multiple copycat shots, which have been shared on the Crohn’s and Colitis UK Facebook page. Take a look at some of them below:
Top Comments
My daughter always wanted to be a basketball player or a model. My 20yr. old daughter Mariarsenia Vega Flores who has a been ill at the age 11. 2008 her small intestine was removed she has a colostomy bag and a feeding tube, Now at the age 20 she was given the option to have a J pouch done. After she was told she will have the bag for the rest of her life. She had the first procedure done June 30,2014. her rectum was removed just leaving the stem. The intestine was stapled, folded several times to create a pouch forming a j and stapled to the stem. The colostomy was switched from her right side to her left side.Above is her feeding tube. Awaiting her second procedure. If all goes well she will no longer in need of the colostomy bag. If not a success Dr. will reverse the procedure back to the way it was. Due to the pic that you posted in Facebook my cousin tagged me your picture on my wall. my daughter saw it. She finally allowed me to take a picture of her stomach showing off her scars colostomy bag and feeding tube. But not yet went public about it. She no longer wants to be a basketball player.
Her dream is to become a model
I have crohns too & seeing all these strong confident people brought a tear to my eye.
not sure i'm as strong & confident.
cheers yall.