Not Every Disability Is Visible

19 August, 2026

By Emma Sellars

Living with a stoma has changed my life in more ways than I could ever put into words. It has given me a second chance at life, but it has also brought challenges that many people never see or think about. One of the biggest challenges isn’t my stoma itself – it’s the lack of understanding that often comes with living with an invisible disability.

When people think about disability, they often picture something they can see. But for millions of people, disabilities are invisible. As someone living with a stoma, I’ve learned that the hardest battles aren’t always physical – they’re often the assumptions, judgement and misunderstanding from others.

“You don’t look disabled.”

“So why are you using the accessible toilet?”

It’s a sentence many people living with a stoma have heard, whether spoken out loud or silently through judgemental looks.

My Stoma Saved My Life

What I wish more people understood is that a stoma isn’t just a bag on someone’s tummy. For many of us, it represents years of illness, surgeries, trauma, and a second chance at life.

My stoma saved my life.

But living with one isn’t always easy.

Something as simple as going to the toilet can become stressful. Emptying a stoma bag often takes longer than people realise. Sometimes I need to change the entire appliance because of a leak. Sometimes my skin is sore and bleeding. I need somewhere clean and spacious to manage my stoma safely.

Accessible Toilets Are a Necessity

Accessible toilets aren’t a luxury – they’re a necessity for so many invisible disabilities.

They’re not just for wheelchair users. They’re there for anyone whose disability means they need the extra space, privacy or facilities. Living with a stoma is one of those reasons.

A little kindness and patience can make such a difference.

If someone comes out of an accessible toilet and doesn’t “look disabled”, please don’t judge them. Not every disability is visible, and you never know what someone is living with or what battles they’re fighting behind closed doors.

I’ve experienced those looks before. The hesitation. The silent judgement. It can make you question yourself, even when you know you have every right to be there. Nobody should have to justify their disability to strangers.

Why Stoma Friendly Toilets Matter

That’s why Stoma Friendly toilet facilities are so important. Having somewhere equipped with the right facilities helps me feel safer, more confident and more independent. It means I can leave the house knowing there’s somewhere I can manage my stoma with dignity if I need to.

My Message to the Public

My message to the public is simple:

Please choose understanding over assumptions.

Be patient.

Be kind.

And remember that not every disability is visible.

Your kindness could be the reason someone feels confident enough to leave their home that day.

Let’s create a world where people living with a stoma feel accepted, supported and never judged for using the facilities they genuinely need. 💜