George’s story – Racing and resilience with a stoma

When people see George Foxlow, an 18-year-old British motorsport driver, walking around the racetrack with his top off, they might not realise how much it’s taken for him to build the confidence he has today. On the surface, aside from his stoma bag, George looks like any other teenager. But his journey has been far from easy, as when he was a child, he underwent stoma surgery to treat his Inflammatory Bowel Disease.

George spoke to us about his journey, his motorsport career, and how he’s now helping to raise awareness of Crohn’s and Colitis within the motorsport industry.

I was 12 when everything changed. Up until then, I’d always been active. I loved moving, competing, doing anything that meant I didn’t have to sit still! So, when I suddenly became exhausted all the time, barely able to get through school and not wanting to move at all, I knew something wasn’t right. As I was a child, my parents handled the conversations with doctors – but I remember just feeling like we weren’t getting many answers. We knew I had some form of Inflammatory Bowel Disease, either Crohn’s or Colitis, and that I was so unwell that a life-changing surgery was to be my only option.

But my stoma surgery changed everything. Without it, I know I’d still be in and out of hospital, and instead, I’m racing and doing something I absolutely love.

My stoma is now part of me, not something to cover up or be ashamed of. That’s why you’ll often find me walking around the track shirtless. If someone has a question, I answer it, and if they’re curious, I explain. I’m proud of my stoma because it represents my strength.

I think my experiences and surgery as a child has really helped me to have a strong mindset and to excel in my motorsport career. I want to continue my motorsport journey and represent the Crohn’s and Colitis community on bigger stages, to fly the flag for those who’ve gone through what I have. I want to prove that having a chronic illness or a stoma doesn’t end your dreams. Listening to other people’s stories really helped me when I was younger, so I’m hoping sharing my story can help others.