--- title: The Woman Who Posed With Her Colostomy Bag Has Inspired Hundreds Of Others To Do The Same description: Bethany Townsend’s photo has empowered people to stop hiding and ‘get their belly out.’ image: http://s3-ec.buzzfed.com/static/2014-07/7/5/enhanced/webdr09/edit-29512-1404725888-3.jpg --- ![](http://s3-ec.buzzfed.com/static/2014-07/7/5/enhanced/webdr09/edit-29512-1404725888-3.jpg) ### The Woman Who Posed With Her Colostomy Bag Has Inspired Hundreds Of Others To Do The Same *Posted By* Erica Bettencourt Wed, Jul 09, 2014 @ 10:51 AM - - - By Rossalyn Warren ## When Bethany Townsend snapped herself on holiday with two of her colostomy bags visible, she didn’t expect the photo to be seen by more than 9 million people. ![When Bethany Townsend snapped herself on holiday with two of her colostomy bags visible, she didn't expect the photo to be seen by more than 9 million people.](http://s3-ec.buzzfed.com/static/2014-07/7/5/enhanced/webdr09/edit-29512-1404725888-3.jpg) [facebook.com](https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=930802690279121&set=a.212445248781539.65833.164153473610717&type=1&theater) ## But since her photo went viral, hundreds of other people who live with Crohn’s disease are sharing photos of themselves with their colostomy bags on show. ![But since her photo went viral, hundreds of other people who live with Crohn's disease are sharing photos of themselves with their colostomy bags on show.](http://s3-ec.buzzfed.com/static/2014-07/7/5/enhanced/webdr09/edit-25178-1404725041-6.jpg) [Facebook: crohnsandcolitisuk](http://www.facebook.com/crohnsandcolitisuk) ![](http://s3-ec.buzzfed.com/static/2014-07/7/5/enhanced/webdr08/edit-29744-1404726336-3.jpg) [Facebook: crohnsandcolitisuk](http://www.facebook.com/crohnsandcolitisuk) ## The photos are being shared on the [Crohn’s and Colitis Facebook page](http://www.buzzfeed.com/rossalynwarren/www.facebook.com/crohnsandcolitisuk) and on the [Get Your Belly Out Facebook page](http://www.buzzfeed.com/rossalynwarren/www.facebook.com/getyourbellyout) with the hashtag #GetYourBellyOut. ![The photos are being shared on the Crohn's and Colitis Facebook page and on the Get Your Belly Out Facebook page with the hashtag #GetYourBellyOut.](http://s3-ec.buzzfed.com/static/2014-07/7/5/enhanced/webdr07/edit-21792-1404725222-17.jpg) [Facebook: crohnsandcolitisuk](http://www.facebook.com/crohnsandcolitisuk) ## Those who uploaded the photos are also speaking out about their illness with their stories of support and survival. ![Those who uploaded the photos are also speaking out about their illness with their stories of support and survival.](http://s3-ec.buzzfed.com/static/2014-07/7/5/enhanced/webdr02/edit-31141-1404725403-9.jpg) [Facebook: crohnsandcolitisuk](http://www.facebook.com/crohnsandcolitisuk) ## When Joseph Hendy [shared his story](https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=1508825732665773&set=o.164153473610717&type=3&theater), people commented on his photo saying what an inspiration to others he was, adding: “I hope everybody with the same illness reads your story and takes the same positive attitude as yourself.” ![When Joseph Hendy shared his story , people commented on his photo saying what an inspiration to others he was, adding: "I hope everybody with the same illness reads your story and takes the same positive attitude as yourself."](http://s3-ec.buzzfed.com/static/2014-07/7/5/enhanced/webdr08/edit-26458-1404725345-29.jpg) [Facebook: crohnsandcolitisuk](http://www.facebook.com/crohnsandcolitisuk) ## AnneMarie said that the campaign made her feel brave enough to share her own photo. She wrote on Facebook: “By seeing these posts by so many brave people who have gone through the same, it has inspired me to take my very first photo of me and my stomach.” ![AnneMarie said that the campaign made her feel brave enough to share her own photo. She wrote on Facebook: "By seeing these posts by so many brave people who have gone through the same, it has inspired me to take my very first photo of me and my stomach."](http://s3-ec.buzzfed.com/static/2014-07/7/5/enhanced/webdr05/enhanced-6030-1404725708-1.jpg) [Facebook: crohnsandcolitisuk](http://www.facebook.com/crohnsandcolitisuk) ## Tina, shown in the middle here, said: “It’s really great to see so many people sharing their personal and difficult experiences publicly. An inspiration to all. Well here’s my pic, Hope it helps someone somewhere.” ![Tina, shown in the middle here, said: "It&squot;s really great to see so many people sharing their personal and difficult experiences publicly. An inspiration to all. Well here&squot;s my pic, Hope it helps someone somewhere."](http://s3-ec.buzzfed.com/static/2014-07/7/4/enhanced/webdr07/enhanced-24944-1404723023-18.jpg) [Facebook: crohnsandcolitisuk](http://www.facebook.com/crohnsandcolitisuk) ## Laura said she was proud to join the campaign, saying: “We have suffered in silence and been hiding behind this horrible condition for long enough!! Proud to be a part of it! Get ur belly out people!!!!” ![Laura said she was proud to join the campaign, saying: "We have suffered in silence and been hiding behind this horrible condition for long enough!! Proud to be a part of it! Get ur belly out people!!!!"](http://s3-ec.buzzfed.com/static/2014-07/7/5/enhanced/webdr08/enhanced-29015-1404725591-1.jpg) [Facebook: crohnsandcolitisuk](http://www.facebook.com/crohnsandcolitisuk/)  Source: [buzzfeed.com](http://www.buzzfeed.com/rossalynwarren/the-woman-who-posed-with-her-colostomy-bag-has-inspired-hund?bftw=uk) Topics : - [inspiration](https://blog.diversitynursing.com/blog/topic/inspiration) - [Happiness](https://blog.diversitynursing.com/blog/topic/happiness) - [colostomy](https://blog.diversitynursing.com/blog/topic/colostomy) - [health](https://blog.diversitynursing.com/blog/topic/health) ### Recent Posts [![](https://blog.diversitynursing.com/hubfs/GettyImages-1428257600.jpg) ##### Advancing Mental Health Equity for Every Community Thu, Jul 02, 2026 @ 09:34 AM Every July, the United States observes National Minority Mental Health Month, a time dedicated to raising awareness about the unique mental health challenges experienced by racial and ethnic minority... 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