I was extremely lucky to go to Belfast to visit TGEakin. You may have heard of Eakin’s products but don’t know a lot about them. Their most well known product is the Eakin cohesive seal. I have used this since just after having my surgery and cannot rate it highly enough. But there is one thing about it that is possibly better and that is the people who are part of the Eakin team.
This short video tells the story of TGEakin and how it all began.
Because I use the seal, they asked me to go over to Belfast as they wanted to produce a short documentary about the seal and how it helps you with getting on with life, they also didn’t want to use an actor and felt it would be much better using a “real” stoma patient who uses the product. Of course I said a definite yes to that.
All the arrangements were made, and off me and my husband went to Ireland. We had an amazing time, they treated me like a celebrity and were so welcoming when we arrived, and were shown round the factories. Tom Eakin himself came to say hello, as did his son Jeremy. The other son runs another part of the Eakin family business which you may have heard of.. Pelican Healthcare . I finally met Laura who I have emailed regularly because of my posts in ” A Bigger Life ” website but never actually knew what she looked like. I also met Kiera and Patrick who arranged the shoot. They were all lovely.
Laura and me     ( Laura deals with ” A bigger life” website)                     Â
Kiera and me
Patrick, me, Jon ( hubby) and Kiera
In my protective clothing in the factory
The factory was so well organised and immaculately clean. It was so interesting to see how the products were made and how meticulous the staff were with making sure the products left the factory in perfect condition, I can see why Eakin’s seals are well liked.
The filming started on the streets with me and Jon visiting different places, and meeting friends going for coffee, having meals out and drinks. We then did the talking part in the hotel, which was the bit I was anxious about, but it seemed to go well, and I hoped they could edit it if it was awful. Sean ( the person doing the videoing) was good at making me more relaxed and I got to know them all comfortably by the end of the two days.
Here is the finished product, it is strange seeing myself in a video but it was great fun, and the fact that I am a genuine wearer of the seal. ( Oscar’s next year, must sort out my acceptance speech )
Visit their shiny new site at www.eakin.eu
Hi Claire, found your video informative and very interesting. l’ve had my stoma a year now and still learning about stoma life. Have had my ups and downs with leaks ect and the worry of this when going out. I’ve learned so much listening and reading other people’s experiences .
Thank you.
Hi David, thank you for taking the time to comment. Having a stoma certainly is a challenge that we must learn to live with.