Disability advocate and content creator Mesha Moinirad shares how wearing the Hidden Disabilities Sunflower helps him feel more confident when he is out in public.
Mesha Moinirad, better known online as Mr Colitis Crohns, has built a community of nearly seven million people across TikTok, YouTube and Instagram.
Through honest, educational and often unfiltered content, Mesha shares the realities of living with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and a stoma. His videos challenge misconceptions, tackle stigma and help people with non-visible disabilities feel less alone.
Today, his community includes approximately 4.8 million followers on TikTok, 1.6 million subscribers on YouTube and more than 390,000 followers on Instagram.
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Making the invisible visible
After becoming seriously ill in 2013, Mesha was diagnosed with IBD, including Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis. Following several years of unsuccessful treatments, he chose to undergo stoma surgery.
Although his stoma and the complications he has experienced have a significant impact on his life, they are not immediately visible to the people around him.
In a new video shared with the Hidden Disabilities Sunflower, Mesha explains that this can lead to assumptions and judgement, particularly when he needs to use an accessible toilet.
“People see me using an accessible toilet and assume I’m not disabled. What they don’t see is my stoma, the complications I’ve had and that sometimes I simply need more time.”
Crohn’s disease is a lifelong inflammatory bowel condition. Its symptoms can include abdominal pain, fatigue and an urgent or frequent need to use the toilet. Symptoms can change over time and may not be visible to others.
You can learn more about the condition in our Crohn’s disease entry Sunflower Index.
“This isn’t about special treatment”
For Mesha, wearing the Sunflower is not about being treated differently. It is a simple way to let people know that he may need additional time, space, understanding or support.
“Having this isn’t about getting special treatment. It’s about helping people understand that not every disability is visible.”
The Sunflower gives Mesha greater confidence when he is going about his day. It means he does not always have to explain his medical history or justify why he needs to use an accessible facility.
It can also help Sunflower-friendly staff and members of the public recognise that he may need support, patience or urgent access to a toilet.
Challenging assumptions through social media
Under the name @mrcolitiscrohns, Mesha uses Instagram, TikTok and YouTube to share his lived experience with millions of people.
His content covers Crohn’s disease, colitis, stomas and other non-visible health conditions. By openly discussing subjects that are often hidden or misunderstood, he is helping to reduce shame and change how people think about life with a stoma.
Mesha has previously explained that his online community is not only for people living with these conditions. It also helps friends, relatives and healthcare professionals better understand what everyday life with IBD or a stoma can involve.
His message is a powerful reminder that we cannot tell whether someone is disabled simply by looking at them.
The person using an accessible toilet may have an urgent medical need. The person taking longer may be managing symptoms or medical equipment. The person wearing the Sunflower may need a little more time, space or patience.
Rather than questioning or judging, we can choose to be kind.
Watch Mesha’s story
Watch Mesha explain what wearing the Hidden Disabilities Sunflower means to him:
Watch Mesha’s video on InstagramAs Mesha says:
“Something as simple as this lanyard can help bridge the gap. It reminds people that not every disability is obvious.”
Follow Mesha and learn more about his work: