Crohn's sufferer pursues dream of being a model - PHOTO+VIDEO

But one make-up artist from Worcester has become an internet sensation after posting a photograph of her in a bikini online, exposing her colostomy bags to the world.The image of Bethany Townsend, 23, has already been seen by more than nine million people.And the positive feedback has given her the confidence to pursue her dream of becoming a model.‘I didn’t expect this kind of reaction at all,’ said Mrs Townsend.‘The photo has been seen by millions of people and it’s had 190,000 likes and over 10,000 comments on Facebook - it’s just gone ballistic.‘I’m just so glad that it’s brought about more awareness of Crohn’s disease and it’s made me feel so much more confident about the colostomy bags.‘If I can inspire or help other people in my position to feel a little more comfortable in their own skin then I’m really happy.‘When I first had the bags fitted I was devastated - the reaction to this photo has really helped me accept them.’The 23-year-old was fitted with her colostomy bags in 2010 after being diagnosed with Crohn’s disease at the age of three.Crohn’s disease is a condition that causes inflammation of the digestive system, affecting the sufferer’s ability to digest food, absorb nutrients and eliminate waste.In extreme situations, like Mrs Townsend’s, it becomes necessary to remove the damaged section of the intestine and bring the healthy part out as a stoma - known as a colostomy.Mrs Townsend almost died when her bowel ruptured in 2010 and since then, the make-up artist has been fitted with two colostomy bags.She said: ‘Growing up I’d had various surgeries to try and combat the Crohn’s.‘I’d go in and have sections of my intestine cut out, but I’d only be in remission for a couple of weeks before it came back again.‘Then, four years ago I woke up in the morning and couldn’t move because I was in so much agony. 'I had to break a glass on the floor to alert my mum who called on ambulance.'When the paramedics came, they lifted up my top to see that my surgery scar had split open.‘I was rushed to intensive care where they doctors told my family I would need more surgery as my intestines had become infected and inflamed again. 'I had no idea when I woke up that I would have the bags.‘When I first woke up and my mum told me about them I was just relieved as I’d thought I was going to die.‘But when I came out of hospital and everything finally sunk in, I remember going upstairs into my bedroom and just bursting into tears.‘I’d known a colostomy bag might have been an option but it was always something that I had wanted to avoid.‘I had a really good cry that day, and since then I haven’t shed another tear - I’ve just got on with it I suppose.’It was only after Mrs Townsend met and married her husband, Ian, 33, and jetted off to Mexico last Christmas that she finally felt ready to embrace the colostomy bags.‘When I met Ian I showed him my bags straight away, but he didn’t bat an eye lid - I actually felt like I was over reacting,’ she said.‘He taught me that there was more to me than the bags and would always encourage me to show off my figure.'I wasn’t sure, but in Mexico I finally realised he was right and decided to wear my bikini.‘At first I was nervous and worried that people would stare but it was fine.'I realised that the colostomy bags didn’t control me or define who I am.‘The staff at the hotel asked me about the bags on the last day of the holiday, but rather than being offended I was glad because it meant I could talk to them about Crohn’s and tell them what it is.‘Ian’s always been my rock and supported me no matter what. 'We’ve had a tough few years but I know he’ll always be there for me.’It was six months after her dream holiday that Mrs Townsend decided to share her holiday photos with the world to raise awareness about Crohn’s disease.She got in touch with Crohn’s and Colitis UK Facebook group to see if they would let her post something on their page.‘I sent them the picture and my information, and it all blew up from there,’ she said.Mrs Townsend still suffers with Crohn’s disease and hopes for a cure.‘Doctors had hoped that the colostomy bags would put an end to the Crohn’s but four weeks later it was back,' she added.'I then underwent a stem cell transplant but unfortunately I caught MRSA of the skin and the blood and it nearly killed me twice.‘Since then my Crohn’s has still been extremely active, I’ve lost more weight and now I’m waiting for the NHS to fund a drug that hasn’t really been in the UK.‘If this doesn’t work a bowel transplant is in talks as I can’t have any more of my intestine out as I haven’t got much left. 'But I’m still really hopeful and after everything I’ve been through I know I’m a strong person.’Mrs Townsend is considering getting back into modelling - a career she gave up on after she was fitted with the bags.‘I feel confident enough now to put myself out there and pursue modelling again,' she said.'I did a little bit of work here and there before I had the colostomy bags, but once I had them fitted I thought that was the end of the dream.‘I’m looking forward to chasing my goals, and I know now that nothing can hold me back. 'I won’t let the Crohn’s control me anymore.’(dailymail.co.uk)Bakudaily.az