'There should be a Barbie with a stoma too'

A Barbie fanatic is urging the toy manufacturer to create a doll with a stoma bag.

Imali Chislett, from Bournemouth, has lived with a stoma since 2024.

The 25-year-old is calling for an "Ostomy Barbie" because she said "it would be nice if children had a better understanding of what a stoma is and what it allows people to do".

Mattel, which already has an inclusive range featuring physical and neurodivergent conditions, has been asked for its thoughts on the idea.

A stoma is a surgically created opening in the abdomen that allows waste to leave the body and be collected in a bag. More than 200,000 people in the UK live with one.

They can be needed for a variety of reasons, including bowel cancer, Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis and other conditions affecting the bowel or bladder.

Imali believes living with a stoma means "you're constantly more aware of your surroundings, where the toilet is".

"At the same time it comes with an immense sense of freedom and ability to travel more.

"I can do so many more things because I'm not tied to the bathroom anymore so although I have a bag and although that can seem quite constricted it's actually opened my world up enormously."

She said having a Barbie doll with a stoma would help people understand that "it's a tool that actually helps people to get better quicker".

"It's often people who avoid getting a stoma that will stay poorly for longer so it's really important that children have that understanding that it's a good thing, it's a positive thing," she told the BBC.

In January, campaigners welcomed the launch of the first autistic Barbie with features intended to reflect experiences autistic people might relate.

Creator Mattel said the doll "invites more children to see themselves represented in Barbie".

Imali has a number of dolls from the inclusive line, including a Barbie with Down's syndrome, Barbie with wheelchair and autistic Barbie.