We featured an article about Manny Cuevas’ journey with his ostomy in the fall 2016 issue of this eNewsletter. Since then, Manny has been receiving touching emails, calls and texts from others in the ostomy community letting him know how his story inspired them.

International fashion icon Manny Cuevas is known for his opulent, exotic couture line—“Wear It Out by Manny.” At first the name of the line was about wearing his designs out on the town, but since his ostomy surgery due to diverticulitis, it has become his mantra for getting out and looking great with an ostomy. Manny’s outlook rang true to people with ostomies from coast-to-coast and overseas.

“It’s amazing how my story touched people of all ages, not just my age group,” explains Manny. “We’re all a family of people with ostomies now, and the inspiration that I’m giving them pales to what they’re giving me.”

After reading his story and sharing it with her husband, Shelly Weller was moved to email Manny. She explained that she had sheltered herself since her ostomy surgery 15 years earlier. Manny invited her to call him and they spoke for hours amid laughter and tears. “Your words of encouragement have helped me lift a weight I haven’t known how to lift,” she said.

Shelly reached out again to tell Manny that she and her husband Todd were planning their first road trip in 15 years and asked if they could meet him in Nashville. This past October, Manny met with them for coffee and bagels.

“She is gorgeous inside and out,” says Manny. “I told her she is model material!”

Manny explained his belief that each person with an ostomy is still the same beautiful person that they’ve always been. But, because of the ostomy, they feel that they have to cover themselves up.

“We have to get rid of the stigma of the stoma,” Manny said. “And I plan on finding ways to do it with my fashion and words of encouragement.”