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The Stoma Swimmer

Will Gill be the first person with a stoma to complete a solo swim across the Channel?

After the birth of her son in 2011, Northumberland mum Gill Castle found herself with not only a premature baby, but also anxiety, post-natal depression, PTSD and a colostomy bag having sustained rare, life-changing injuries during the delivery.

Her road to recovery has been a long one, but along the way Gill has found new purpose, changing the lives of some of the estimated 30,000 women who sustain similar injuries each year in the UK, and taking on gruelling physical challenges to prove that a stoma doesn’t have to mean standing still.

This series follows Gill as she prepares to make history by attempting to become the first person in the world with a stoma to complete a solo swim across the English Channel.

For information and support for issues covered in this programme visit bbc.co.uk/actionline

Produced by Jo Lonsdale, Jane Downs and Rik Martin for ±«Óãtv Radio Newcastle

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