beth_without_a_bowel

A lovely Christmas and New year 2022 🎉❤️✨ .. now onto 2023 🤍

Decembers festivities so far ❤️🎅🏼🎄

❗️❗️ PLEASE READ! ❗️❗️
So here I am, Manchester airport waiting to fly to ibiza with my best gal! 🥰 however it’s not been the nicest of mornings! We arrived at the airport fine however when going through security I got stopped. ✋🏼 I had to go in the full body scanner, which is fine, but was then taken aside. To be told I needed to be searched by a woman. The woman searched my middle, felt my stoma and looked shocked. I apologised (not sure why) and stayed really sorry that’s my stoma! 😳
She then told me I would need to be taken off for a further “physical search” and off she went to look for someone. She instantly couldn’t see anyone so stated “well just show me here instead” 😰 as I was in complete shock and embarrassed I did. I proceeded to expose my stoma in front of a busy security check in! .. this then wasn’t enough, I had to then pat it down in public, exposed, and then she scanned my hands. I then was made to take a seat while she went to test it. 😣
Now I completely understand the need to do this, for the safety of everyone else. I also understand that people could conceal things they shouldn’t in them. But it was the way it done, in front of a hugely busy airport 🫣 I was left mortified, embarrassed and degraded.
I actually contacted several times prior to my flight to highlight that I had a stoma, and asking to take my supplies in my hand luggage, but was met with nothing but obstruction so gave up. 😵‍💫 I have flew before and never had an experience like that, I was allocated extra baggage and the ability to take supplies on board with me.
I am highlighting this not only as I’m shocked but for the rest of the people with stomas! It’s not acceptable and more education needs to be done in these areas! Please share this so we can make this less traumatic for further passengers! ✈️
✈️ ✈️