Other kids bullied me over my bladder bag but I learned life’s too short to let others decide your strength
Teenager with catheter tells of her torment at school
A SCOTS teen has bravely spoken about living with a bladder bag, after years of shame and bullying.
Sophie Wallis, now 19, was diagnosed with urinary retention after having a viral infection when she was 12.
And since then, she has had to wear a catheter to empty her bladder.
The bag – which is strapped to her thigh – made her school years hell.
Cruel kids taunted her and called her names such as “fat legs” as she suffered at the hands of cyberbullies.
But the student, from Milngavie, near Glasgow, refuses to let her condition define her and has spoken out about the tough experiences she has endured – in the hope of helping others struggling with bladder issues.
Sophie told the Daily Record: “It’s been so difficult, especially in my younger years.
“The pain and suffering that came with thinking about what my diagnosis would mean for my future was overwhelming and made me feel like I had absolutely no control over my life.
“I was bullied at school quite badly. It was really tough. People from my school trolled me anonymously through chat websites, calling me things like ‘fat thighs’ and ‘fat legs’.
“It affected me a lot mentally. You get that way where you think no-one likes you and people think you’re embarrassing because of the bag.
“I eventually learnt to just get on with it and accept that my bag is now part of my life.”
The online abuse began immediately after Sophie was fitted with her catheter following a diagnosis of Transverse Myelitis – a neurological condition which effects the spine.
Damaging the nerve cells, it interrupts messages sent to other parts of the body, including the bladder, which causes emptying issues.
A probe launched by school officials revealed some of the bullies were actually Sophie’s own friends, leaving her unsure who to trust.
Years of therapy helped her deal with the torment she endured as she struggled to get to grips with the illness amid frequent hospital visits.
She added: “I couldn’t trust anybody or tell anybody about what I went through. Since I’ve grown up, I’ve now met people who accept me for me.”
Sophie is currently in her second year of studying children’s nursing at Edinburgh’s Napier University.
She also recently shared a brave post on Facebook to raise awareness over the reality of living with a bladder bag – an issue she feels is not talked about enough.
She wrote: “I’ve realised that it’s not something I should be embarrassed by. Life is too short to have others decide your strength.
“Going through everything I’ve been through has also made me realise who you really need in life.
“I went through my teenage years reaching out to people who aren’t in my life now.
“When you grow up, you realise who truly cares and who is really there for you. My disability has only made me stronger through the years.”
The post racked up more than 1000 likes after being uploaded and many people hailed Sophie for her bravery.
She added: “The reaction has blown me away. I’ve had so many people reaching out. Some have even sent messages with pictures of themselves and their bag. It has been unbelievable and it made me glad I decided to post what I’ve been through.
“I’m proud of what I’ve been through and who I am. Long story short, you never know someone else’s story, so be kind with your words and actions.”
When you grow up, you realise who truly cares SOPHIE WALLIS ON ABUSERS WHO MADE HER LIFE HELL