Embracing the life of an ostomate after a lengthy illness and life saving surgery in 2011, Jo-Ann began her ostomy writing and speaking career, sharing her inspirational and uplifting messages served up with a dollop of humour with her readers and audiences.

An Entrepreneur for over 20 years, creator and host of 2 television series, the television special “That's Life”, and the radio series “Voices of Our Town”, sharpened her sense of community with all.

Experiencing her sons' Crohn's Disease diagnosis, her own illness/life saving surgery, marriage, parenthood, grandparenthood, and the chaos of everyday life, Jo-Ann has dealt with the unexpected challenges that shaped her life experiences with the courage to live life to the fullest, in spite of it all. She understands first hand the struggles experiencing life can serve up, and the havoc all these challenges can have on health, serenity, and the triumph of the human spirit. Along with her life sustaining stoma she affectionally calls Percy, Jo-Ann shares her candid view points that readers and audiences find informational and entertaining.

Jo-Ann believes, “Everyone you meet has a story to tell!” She shares her stories and invites ALL to share their's with her. Together every story carries messages of hope, inspiration, the realities of life, and the triumph of the human spirit, in spite of it all. Jo-Ann's style of delivery is accessible and conversational and leaves readers and audiences feeling empowered with the positive effects of an honest encounter with her.

Created in Ottawa, Canada on the 21st of July 2011, Percy started his existence by being a life saver, right from the get go. His first of many public presentations was to the resident ET Nurse, within a few days of creation at the Ottawa Hospital. He returned to Orleans, Canada, later that month and with an un-snap of his bag he continued to perform presentations for a multitude of audiences that included; community ET Nurses, Home Care Nurses and Doctors, which in his opinion made him an overnight success.

Percy settled down to the life of a stoma; pooping, passing wind, writing and posting blogs (THE OSTOMY FACTOR), at the same time broadening his activities as a model for custom designed haute pooture underwear that accommodate stomas and their bags, while providing abdominal support.

Percy's reputation grew steadily, helped by earning an Eol. Of Poopology, (Eol. Experience Of Life), During 2012, Percy saw continued recovery and the publication of a book based on his creation, his life and his adventures. He was asked to be the model for an oil painting titled, “Percy a Self-Portrait”, that graces the front cover of, Better With A Bag Than In A Bag.

Percy has co-written the book Another BAG Another DAY with author Jo-Ann L. Tremblay, and is looking forward to future presentations and literary collaborations.

Percy shares his experiences talking stoma to stoma, and stoma to ostomate.