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🐝Sahara Fleetwood-Beresford🌱Patient Advocate🩺

@sahara88uk.bsky.social
175 followers 88 following 143 posts

#HealthAdvocacy; #IBD #Ostomy #MentalHealth #ChronicPain #Fibro #ADHD. Healthcare Pt. Consultant. IBDSuperHeroes Founder. Find me: advocatinghealth.com 🐝Pursuing calm ~ #Nature #Gardening #Plants #Yoga🧘

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🐝Sahara Fleetwood-Beresford🌱Patient Advocate🩺 @sahara88uk.bsky.social · 21/09/2026
Hospital admissions leave a mark. In a recent post, I share my history with bowel obstructions, surgery, and hospital experiences, reflecting on how past medical trauma makes A&E hard: advocatinghealth.com/2026/09/12/w... 💜 #IBDSuperHeroes #IBD #CrohnsDisease #UlcerativeColitis #IBDawareness
advocatinghealth.com
Bowel obstructions, surgery, and hospital experiences
First, apologies for the irresponsible post I did something stupid and careless last week. I posted on social media about my bowel obstruction without adding a disclaimer that IF you’re able …
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🐝Sahara Fleetwood-Beresford🌱Patient Advocate🩺 @sahara88uk.bsky.social · 03/08/2026
Healing after #MedicalTrauma isn't about bouncing back to your old self. #PostTraumatiGrowth is about processing tough times and discovering a new way forward. I shared a breakdown of what post-traumatic growth means when living with long-term conditions advocatinghealth.com/2026/08/03/u... 💜✨
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🐝Sahara Fleetwood-Beresford🌱Patient Advocate🩺 @sahara88uk.bsky.social · 31/07/2026
I'll give you two ✌️ guesses where this peppermint oil ended up after I'd dropped a few drops 💧 in my #ostomy bag whilst on the toilet 🚽... 🧻🔥
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Reposted by 🐝Sahara Fleetwood-Beresford🌱Patient Advocate🩺
IBDSuperHeroes @ibdsuperheroes.bsky.social · 28/07/2026
🔬 Learn more about Bowel Research UK www.bowelresearchuk.org/about-us/ and consider raising funds with #IBDSuperHeroes for vital research to save and improve lives for people with #Crohns and #Colitis: tinyurl.com/IBDSHFundrai... #IBD #CrohnsDisease #UlcerativeColitis #IBDawareness #CutTheCrap
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🐝Sahara Fleetwood-Beresford🌱Patient Advocate🩺 @sahara88uk.bsky.social · 28/07/2026
28°C in the UK today! Hot weather brings extra challenges when you live with an #ostomy: dehydration, baseplate adhesion issues, and skin irritation. Here, I share practical tips to help you navigate heatwaves safely advocatinghealth.com/2018/07/07/o... 💜✨ 📷 Old photo, pre-sleeves 😂 #Stoma
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🐝Sahara Fleetwood-Beresford🌱Patient Advocate🩺 @sahara88uk.bsky.social · 27/07/2026
Pain is rarely just physical. The biopsychosocial model shows how biological, psychological, and social factors interact to create our experience of #ChronicPain. Understanding this changed everything for me advocatinghealth.com/2026/07/27/w... 💜✨ #PatientAdvocate #IBDSuperHeroes #Crohns #Colitis
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Reposted by 🐝Sahara Fleetwood-Beresford🌱Patient Advocate🩺
IBDSuperHeroes @ibdsuperheroes.bsky.social · 26/07/2026
✨ Movement that understands your reality. Living with #IBD can make traditional exercise feel impossible. That’s why we created #IBDSuperHeroes Movement – free sessions for people navigating #IBD. They are flexible & 100% judgment-free! 💜 Explore now: buff.ly/6IrafOc #YogaForIBD
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🐝Sahara Fleetwood-Beresford🌱Patient Advocate🩺 @sahara88uk.bsky.social · 24/05/2026
Bridlington today. It was like shade didn't exist. There was nowhere to hide ☀️ We wandered round a few shops and had a paddle and a beach walk. Then we went to find food - I had chips and curry sauce, followed by ice cream 🍦
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🐝Sahara Fleetwood-Beresford🌱Patient Advocate🩺 @sahara88uk.bsky.social · 20/05/2026
✨️ I would not interfere With any creed of yours Or want to appear That I have all the cures. ✨️ 💕 #Reiki ✨️ #ReikiHealing ✨️ #Yoga ✨️ #Namaste ✨️ #TheLightInMeHonorsTheLightInYou 🙏🏻
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Reposted by 🐝Sahara Fleetwood-Beresford🌱Patient Advocate🩺
Colostomy UK @colostomyuk.bsky.social · 19/05/2026
Today is World Inflammatory Bowel Disease Day 💜 This year’s theme is: *IBD Has No Borders: Access to IBD Care.* Meet Ben, who shares his experience living with #IBD. If you’re living with Crohn’s or colitis, what challenges do you face? Share them below. 💜 #Crohns #Colitis
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🐝Sahara Fleetwood-Beresford🌱Patient Advocate🩺 @sahara88uk.bsky.social · 19/05/2026
Today is #WorldIBDDay, and while my feed is constantly flooded with wellness influencers talking about bloating, green juices, and "healing your gut" with bone broth, the reality for millions of us is entirely different. Having #Crohns or #Colitis isn’t a lifestyle aesthetic.
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🐝Sahara Fleetwood-Beresford🌱Patient Advocate🩺 @sahara88uk.bsky.social · 13/05/2026
I've been following the research on psychedelic-assisted therapy. For those of us with #IBD or #ChronicPain, our nervous systems are often stuck in fight or flight. 🩺 Could a psychological reset help reduce physical flares? advocatinghealth.com/2026/05/13/w... #MentalHealthAwarenessWeek
advocatinghealth.com
The “mind-manifesting” medicine: Why I’m following psychedelic research
Since reading The Body Keeps the Score and following the work of pain scientists like Dr. Rachel Zoffness, I’ve been interested in learning more about a holistic approach to healing. Holistic meani…
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Reposted by 🐝Sahara Fleetwood-Beresford🌱Patient Advocate🩺
IBDSuperHeroes @ibdsuperheroes.bsky.social · 11/05/2026
It’s #MentalHealthAwarenessWeek! #IBD isn't just physical; the mental toll is real. Don’t fight the flare alone. Our Facebook group is here for chats, rants, and virtual hugs 💜 buff.ly/Ijhr60b #IBDSuperHeroes #Crohns #Colitis #ItTakesGuts #IBDlife
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🐝Sahara Fleetwood-Beresford🌱Patient Advocate🩺 @sahara88uk.bsky.social · 11/05/2026
Reflecting on my recent small bowel contrast Magnetic Resonance Enterography (MRE) scan. The prep and the 30-minute scan are a lot to navigate, especially with medical #PTSD. My full experience is here: advocatinghealth.com/2026/05/11/m... 💕✨ #PatientAdvocate #IBDSuperHeroes #Crohns #Colitis #IBD
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🐝Sahara Fleetwood-Beresford🌱Patient Advocate🩺 @sahara88uk.bsky.social · 23/03/2026
"Can I lie on my front with a s#toma?" is a question that worries almost every new #ostomate. My latest post looks at the practicalities and how to feel secure again: advocatinghealth.com/2026/03/20/c... How have you adjusted your sleep habits since surgery? 💕✨ #Stoma #Ostomy #IBD
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IBDSuperHeroes @ibdsuperheroes.bsky.social · 22/03/2026
It’s #WorldWaterDay! 💧 For every #IBDWarrior, hydration is a key part of daily survival. As we end #NutritionAndHydrationWeek, what is your best tip for staying hydrated while managing #Crohns or #Colitis?
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🐝Sahara Fleetwood-Beresford🌱Patient Advocate🩺 @sahara88uk.bsky.social · 17/03/2026
#EndometriosisAwarenessMonth 50-80% of women with #Endometriosis have an increased risk of #IBD, yet many are stuck in the gap between specialists. My new post looks at the gut/gynae overlap: advocatinghealth.com/2026/03/16/e... #Endo #ChronicPain #IBDVisible
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🐝Sahara Fleetwood-Beresford🌱Patient Advocate🩺 @sahara88uk.bsky.social · 13/03/2026
It’s #WorldSleepDay, but #IBD and sleep aren't always on speaking terms. 😴 Between nighttime urgency and #IBDFatigue, getting rest is a battle. How do you manage your #SleepHygiene when your #Crohns or #Colitis has other plans?
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🐝Sahara Fleetwood-Beresford🌱Patient Advocate🩺 @sahara88uk.bsky.social · 07/03/2026
Medical trauma isn’t just a memory; it’s a physical state. I’m sharing the latest research on the link between Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and #ChronicPain: advocatinghealth.com/2026/03/05/t... Does your pain feel linked to your stress levels? 💕✨ #PatientAdvocate #IBD #Fibro #PTSD
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🐝Sahara Fleetwood-Beresford🌱Patient Advocate🩺 @sahara88uk.bsky.social · 06/03/2026
My morning reiki and meditation turned into an accidental 40-minute nap. 🙈 My body clearly needed the rest more than the dogs needed their walk! Chronic illness life: sometimes the most productive thing you can do is fall asleep on your yoga mat. ​#PatientAdvocate
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🐝Sahara Fleetwood-Beresford🌱Patient Advocate🩺 @sahara88uk.bsky.social · 26/02/2026
Food fear is a clinical symptom of #IBD, not a failure of willpower. For #Eating #Disorders #Awareness #Week, I’m sharing how new research validates the mental toll of eating with #Crohns or #Colitis: advocatinghealth.com/2026/02/26/i... Do you feel a sense of dread when staring at the fridge? 💕✨
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🐝Sahara Fleetwood-Beresford🌱Patient Advocate🩺 @sahara88uk.bsky.social · 24/02/2026
It took me 7 years to talk about my #UC & #Stoma surgeries. We focus on the physical, but the mental impact of #ChronicIllness is just as vital. I’ve written about processing #MedicalTrauma & reclaiming your identity: advocatinghealth.com/2026/02/23/t... #PatientAdvocate #IBD #Crohns #Colitis
advocatinghealth.com
Why we need to talk about the mental impact of chronic illness
I was diagnosed with ulcerative colitis (UC) in 2007, but it took me seven years to be able to talk or share much about that experience, the emergency surgery that followed shortly after, and the c…
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🐝Sahara Fleetwood-Beresford🌱Patient Advocate🩺 @sahara88uk.bsky.social · 23/02/2026
Grief is usually associated with loss, but with #ChronicIllness, you’re grieving too. I explore the 5 stages of grief and why it isn’t a failure to feel them: advocatinghealth.com/2026/02/20/t... How are you doing with these stages? Do you move back and forth between them? 💕✨ #PatientAdvocate
advocatinghealth.com
The stages of grief in chronic illness
When we talk about chronic conditions like IBD, fibromyalgia, or arthritis, we often focus on the physical side – the surgeries, medications, and scans. But there’s a massive emotional …
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🐝Sahara Fleetwood-Beresford🌱Patient Advocate🩺 @sahara88uk.bsky.social · 19/02/2026
Having to fact-check everything you see online really sucks. There's a big disappointment in feeling inspired by a story or a cute fact, only to realise it was fake, AI-generated bullsh*t. Whether it’s a heartwarming celeb story that never happened or a perfect... www.instagram.com/p/DU8hF1zjN1...
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🐝Sahara Fleetwood-Beresford🌱Patient Advocate🩺 @sahara88uk.bsky.social · 09/02/2026
Clinical papers don’t tell the whole story of #Pregnancy after bowel surgery. I’m sharing 5 powerful, real-life experiences from the #IBD community about family planning, #IVF, and childbirth. You aren't alone in this. Read: advocatinghealth.com/2026/02/09/f... #PatientAdvocate #Stoma #Ostomy
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🐝Sahara Fleetwood-Beresford🌱Patient Advocate🩺 @sahara88uk.bsky.social · 06/02/2026
Braving the big talk is terrifying, but staying stuck in a cycle of stress is worse. Remind yourself who the F you are today. You are good enough, and your boundaries matter. 💕✨ Why speaking up is vital for your wellbeing: advocatinghealth.com/2026/02/06/b...
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🐝Sahara Fleetwood-Beresford🌱Patient Advocate🩺 @sahara88uk.bsky.social · 05/02/2026
Today is Time to Talk Day. We’re experts at the physical side of #IBD or #Fibro, but the mental toll is harder to voice. You don’t need a script to be honest about the weight of #ChronicIllness and #PatientAdvocacy. Read more: advocatinghealth.com/2026/02/05/b... #PatientAdvocate #IBDSuperHeroes
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🐝Sahara Fleetwood-Beresford🌱Patient Advocate🩺 @sahara88uk.bsky.social · 03/02/2026
12 yrs after starting this blog, I am reintroducing myself. Life with #IBD, an #ostomy & #fibromyalgia means constant evolution. I’m embracing a different version of me. ​Read more here: advocatinghealth.com/2026/02/03/a... ​#PatientAdvocate #IBDSuperHeroes #Crohns #Colitis #CrohnsDisease
advocatinghealth.com
A different version of me: Why I stepped back and how I’m moving forward
I thought it was about time I wrote a new post to reintroduce myself, because I started this blog almost 12 years ago! Digital marketing and media have changed a lot since then. We have many more v…
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🐝Sahara Fleetwood-Beresford🌱Patient Advocate🩺 @sahara88uk.bsky.social · 28/01/2026
Big #IBD news. Researchers found a gene that protects against #Crohns & #Colitis. They’ve made a molecule to copy that defense, moving from suppression to copying nature’s blueprint. Read the breakdown: advocatinghealth.com/2026/01/28/b... #IBDawareness #IBDVisible #IBDWarrior #PatientAdvocacy
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🐝Sahara Fleetwood-Beresford🌱Patient Advocate🩺 @sahara88uk.bsky.social · 08/01/2026
It would seem not! 👎 Sending hugs 🤗
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🐝Sahara Fleetwood-Beresford🌱Patient Advocate🩺 @sahara88uk.bsky.social · 08/01/2026
Living with #IBD, a #stoma, or #ChronicPain is a full-time job you never applied for. 💼🩹 Some days we’re #IBDSuperHeroes. Other days, we’re just tired of the invisible battle. I’m here to make sure no one walks that path alone. How are you actually doing today?
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IBDSuperHeroes @ibdsuperheroes.bsky.social · 07/01/2026
Merry #OrthodoxChristmas to all our #IBDSuperHeroes celebrating today! 🎄✨ Navigating festive food and fatigue can be tough. Remember to be kind to yourself and your gut. 💜 Read our community’s tips for managing the festive season here: buff.ly/eMrfh8l #Crohns #Colitis #IBD
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🐝Sahara Fleetwood-Beresford🌱Patient Advocate🩺 @sahara88uk.bsky.social · 07/01/2026
Have you been using #AI to support your #InflammatoryBowelDisease management, another condition, or your overall health? How do you use it, and what has and has not been useful? #PatientAdvocate #IBDSuperHeroes #Crohns #Colitis #IBD #CrohnsDisease #UlcerativeColitis #IBDawareness #IBDVisible
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🐝Sahara Fleetwood-Beresford🌱Patient Advocate🩺 @sahara88uk.bsky.social · 05/01/2026
First day back at work and I’ve spent the last 20 minutes Googling my bio to remember what I do. 🙃 Turns out, I’m still a Patient Advocate, NHS Consultant, IBD Blogger etc. 2026 is going to be a big year for the patient voice. Let's get to work (once I remember my passwords). 💻
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🐝Sahara Fleetwood-Beresford🌱Patient Advocate🩺 @sahara88uk.bsky.social · 28/12/2025
#ChatGPT summed up my year in #poetry 💜
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Reposted by 🐝Sahara Fleetwood-Beresford🌱Patient Advocate🩺
Kristian Burns-Ross @kristian7ross.bsky.social · 09/12/2025
Sobering experience today with my #Crohns at the hospital today exploring potential options for a permanent #ileostomy and stoma bag depending on the outcome of a camera test. Would love to hear experiences from others if possible. @sahara88uk.bsky.social, @colostomyuk.bsky.social
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Reposted by 🐝Sahara Fleetwood-Beresford🌱Patient Advocate🩺
IBDSuperHeroes @ibdsuperheroes.bsky.social · 07/12/2025
#CrohnsAndColitisAwarenessWeek 💜 Ill for more than half her life, Lowri shows incredible resilience. She focuses on what she can control and makes the most of her good days. #IBDAwarenessWeek #IBDSuperHeroes #Crohns #Colitis #IBD #CrohnsDisease #UlcerativeColitis #IBDawareness #CutTheCrap
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🐝Sahara Fleetwood-Beresford🌱Patient Advocate🩺 @sahara88uk.bsky.social · 03/12/2025
No Qs to answer today, so I’m going to tell you a story instead. One I imagine many of you will resonate with. 🎄 Christmas shopping in Liverpool the other day, I popped to the toilets to empty my bag. I empty my bag sat on the toilet.
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🐝Sahara Fleetwood-Beresford🌱Patient Advocate🩺 @sahara88uk.bsky.social · 01/12/2025
This #CrohnsAndColitisAwarenessWeek, I am inviting questions from the #IBD community and beyond. I've always tried to be an open book, and that will never change. #AskMeAnything you want to know, in comments or via DM, and I'll answer them publicly 💜
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Reposted by 🐝Sahara Fleetwood-Beresford🌱Patient Advocate🩺
IBDSuperHeroes @ibdsuperheroes.bsky.social · 18/10/2025
#IBDSuperHeroesMovement is on YouTube! 🧘♀️💪 Gentle, accessible classes created for the #IBD community. Join us: buff.ly/QCOrXEQ #IBDSuperHeroes #YogaForIBD #ChronicIllnessYoga #OstomyYoga #AccessibleMovement #Crohns #Colitis #CrohnsDisease #UlcerativeColitis #IBDawareness #CutTheCrap
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Reposted by 🐝Sahara Fleetwood-Beresford🌱Patient Advocate🩺
IBDSuperHeroes @ibdsuperheroes.bsky.social · 04/10/2025
🌍 Today on #WorldOstomyDay, we’re raising awareness of the diverse realities of living with a #stoma. For some in our #IBD community, it’s life-saving, liberating, and brings relief. For others, it can feel overwhelming, isolating, or a reminder of what’s been lost. 💜
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Reposted by 🐝Sahara Fleetwood-Beresford🌱Patient Advocate🩺
IBDSuperHeroes @ibdsuperheroes.bsky.social · 21/08/2025
📣 NEW from #IBDSuperHeroes 💫 We’ve launched movement classes designed for people with #Crohns, #Colitis & #ChronicIllness. These free videos are made to meet you where you are — no pressure, no expectations. 🎥 Available now on YouTube: tinyurl.com/IBDSHMove #YogaForIBD #OstomyYoga #IBD
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🐝Sahara Fleetwood-Beresford🌱Patient Advocate🩺 @sahara88uk.bsky.social · 17/08/2025
4 months ago, I received a message alerting me that one of my old images had been "lifted" to create a meme... and then posted in "sick f*cks" Facebook group. Don't even get me started on why a group like that would exist 🙈 Anyway, h...https://www.instagram.com/p/DNdMIvdMieU/?igsh=YjJhOWxxNjEzcTJx
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🐝Sahara Fleetwood-Beresford🌱Patient Advocate🩺 @sahara88uk.bsky.social · 16/08/2025
I realise I've been AWOL for a while. It's just life. It's been busy (by my standards). To most people, my life probably doesn't look busy, but #ChronicIllness means not having the same in the stores as "normal, healthy people." Every day, I weigh up... instagram.com/p/DNaxTihMSqQ/
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🐝Sahara Fleetwood-Beresford🌱Patient Advocate🩺 @sahara88uk.bsky.social · 23/07/2025
Always learning 📖 Just last week, I learnt that cous cous is not a grain ❌️ It's actually durum wheat 🙈 I've been making some dietary changes. I mentioned my mission to increase my fibre intake in a previous post, due to the multitude of health benefits.
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🐝Sahara Fleetwood-Beresford🌱Patient Advocate🩺 @sahara88uk.bsky.social · 10/07/2025
Happy #GuruPurnima to my friends and community who are always teaching me about resilience, strength, dignity, and survival. Forever grateful for the wisdom we share 💜🙏 #IBD #IBDjourney #Crohns #Colitis
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🐝Sahara Fleetwood-Beresford🌱Patient Advocate🩺 @sahara88uk.bsky.social · 29/06/2025
📸 It’s #GutSelfie time again with @gutscharityuk.bsky.social – and this year’s theme really hits home: #MakingTheInvisibleVisible. So many of us live with invisible conditions that shape many different areas of our lives; how we eat, move, plan our days (or can’t plan them at all),
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🐝Sahara Fleetwood-Beresford🌱Patient Advocate🩺 @sahara88uk.bsky.social · 28/06/2025
A quickie of my latest #BotanicalSleeve 🌸💮🏵🌺🌻🌼🌷🪻 Not a rose or Lily in sight 😂 #Tattoo #TattooGirl #InkedLife #SleeveTattoo #TattooSleeve
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🐝Sahara Fleetwood-Beresford🌱Patient Advocate🩺 @sahara88uk.bsky.social · 26/06/2025
Final call to take part in my Instagram giveaway! Ends at midnight on June 30th! Head to my Insta profile & the pinned post to take part www.instagram.com/sahara88uk_ Includes: 🧖‍♂️ 3 collagen face masks 🛌 Hyaluronic acid night cream/mask 📒 1 adult activity book 📖 1 things to do while you poo book
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🐝Sahara Fleetwood-Beresford🌱Patient Advocate🩺 @sahara88uk.bsky.social · 25/06/2025
Went to aquacise this morning and came away thinking about the fact that when you live with health challenges, everything seems to take that bit more time and effort. There’s no quick rinse after the pool for me.
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