Unique and Exciting Jobs

13 August, 2026

Chris Morrison (56) from Derry City, Northern Ireland, was a firefighter – an intense career, but one which his stoma never held him back from.

My Diagnosis

My stoma was formed in November 2016.

In July of that year, I went to my GP after experiencing severe weight loss, extreme fatigue, constipation, rectal bleeding, and a large lump that had to be manually pushed back after every bowel movement. Despite how alarming these symptoms were, I was initially misdiagnosed with haemorrhoids.

Things deteriorated to the point where I was admitted to hospital for nine days. Further tests finally uncovered the real cause: a 10 centimetre tumour in my rectum. The medical team explained that the safest and most effective treatment would be to create a permanent colostomy.

I’ve been fortunate not to experience major complications since then. I deal with the occasional leak or minor blockage, but nothing that has ever stopped me from getting on with life.

What challenged me most in the early days wasn’t the physical side of things, but the emotional and psychological adjustment. I struggled with body image, confidence, and the fear that I might never return to the activities I loved before surgery.

Over time, though, I learned that a stoma doesn’t end your life – it simply asks you to navigate it differently. And once I accepted that, I realised I could still live fully, confidently, and on my own terms.

A Lifetime of Fighting Fires

I joined the Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service in April 1993. This was 23 years before my stoma surgery, and at the time, it genuinely felt like I was stepping into the life I’d always imagined for myself.

Firefighting was the only career I ever truly wanted.

From as far back as I can remember, I idolised my grandfather Jimmy. He served as a firefighter during the Blitz.

Hearing his stories and seeing the pride he carried with him had a huge impact on me growing up. To me, he was a hero and I knew, even as a child, that I wanted to follow in his footsteps. It wasn’t just a job; it was the realisation of a lifelong ambition.

Firefighting is a role that demands the very best of you – physically, mentally, and emotionally. It is about protecting life, property, and the community. One moment you’re responding to a house fire, the next you could be at a road traffic collision, or dealing with flooding.

No two days are ever the same, and that unpredictability is part of what makes the job so compelling.

What sets firefighting apart is the combination of teamwork, trust, and adrenaline. You train to the highest standards, but when the bells go down, you rely just as much on instinct and the bond you share with the people on your crew.

Every call out matters. Every decision counts. You never forget that your actions can genuinely change – or save – someone’s life.

Vivid Memories

One moment that has always stayed with me happened during a house fire.

When we arrived, the house was smoke-logged, and visibility inside the building was almost non-existent. We were told that a young couple had been trapped upstairs. Conditions were deteriorating quickly, but we made entry and carried out a search.

In that intense, smoke filled environment, you rely entirely on training and communication with your breathing apparatus partner to carry out a methodical and thorough search.

We eventually located the couple in an upstairs bedroom and were able to bring them out to safety and pass them to the waiting paramedics. Thankfully, they were only suffering from slight smoke inhalation.

Unfortunately, there is also the side of the job where you need to deal with the aftermath, when people have been seriously injured or even lost their lives in fires or road traffic collisions.

Moments like that are both humbling and motivating. They’re the reason firefighters put on the uniform day after day. The challenges are real, but so are the rewards, and that’s what makes the job unlike any other.

Fire Fighting with a Stoma

When I was first told I would need a permanent stoma, one of my biggest worries was whether I would still be able to do the job I loved.

By that stage, I had been promoted to Crew Commander, and I was determined to keep climbing the career ladder.

One of the first questions I asked my surgeon was simple:

“Will I still be able to work as a firefighter?”

To my relief, he told me there was no medical reason why I couldn’t return to full operational duty.

Hearing that gave me hope, but it didn’t erase the long list of concerns running through my head.

Naturally, I wondered lots of things. Would my stoma bag cope under full PPE? Could the heat and pressure inside a fire affect the adhesive? Would wearing breathing apparatus straps cause pressure or damage to my stoma? Would I need to adapt how I moved, lifted, or worked?

These were real fears – not just about comfort, but about safety.

Returning to work meant learning how to factor my stoma into a high pressure environment. I had to think about things I’d never considered before: making sure I fitted my appliance securely before a shift, keeping spare supplies close by, and being aware of how PPE sat against my abdomen and ensuring I wore my support garments.

It wasn’t about limiting myself; it was about being prepared and staying in control.

I was lucky that I only ever had one or two close calls with leaks or my bag becoming detached. But in these cases, I found a discreet place to sort the issue out, usually in the cab of a fire engine, and returning to the operations.

Advice for Others

If you’re an ostomate considering a unique or challenging role, please be aware of this:

I have been where you have been, I’ve faced the doubts, the fears and the ‘what ifs’ that my stoma might somehow hold me back.

In many ways, you’ve already faced a tough battle; you’ve faced the daily challenge of living and working with a stoma head-on. You’ve endured the leaks, the blockages and the mental challenge of it all, so how much more difficult is a unique or exciting job going to be?

So, my advice is to grab the bull by the horns and go for it!

What have you got to lose?

There will be moments when things don’t go perfectly, don’t let those moments define you or hold you back.

Support From Colostomy UK

We offer a wide range of support for people living with a colostomy, including our free Stoma Helpline, live chat support, and opportunities to connect with others through local and online groups. We also provide trusted information and resources to offer practical advice, reassurance, and the confidence to live well with a stoma: colostomyuk.org/support