Woman Shares Journey from Blindness to IBS Healing in New Book

A woman from the United Kingdom, Marion Bevington, has transformed her personal challenges into a mission to assist others. After losing her sight due to thyroid eye disease, Bevington claims she has also healed herself from irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)—a condition she battled for years. Now, at age 61, she is sharing her story through a new book titled Afraid To Fart – And The Fine Art Of Following Through and aims to create a workbook to further illustrate her healing techniques.

Bevington was diagnosed with thyroid eye disease in 2008, a condition that often arises from an overactive thyroid and can lead to serious vision loss. Over the years, her sight progressively deteriorated, culminating in complete blindness in early 2023. She describes her current vision as “a thick, dense, white fog” that prevents her from seeing faces and enjoying her previous hobbies such as cooking and sewing.

“Not being able to see is a very lonely world to live in when there are no faces around,” Bevington said, reflecting on her emotional journey. Her vision loss has led to a profound sense of grief for the independent life she once led, where she traveled alone and engaged in various activities without assistance.

Alongside her vision impairment, Bevington had been managing IBS since the early 2000s, a common gastrointestinal disorder that causes symptoms such as abdominal pain and bloating. Remarkably, she claims to have healed from IBS around the same time she lost her sight. “I was so focused on my vision and wanting to help restore and reclaim it that I’d missed the fact that I’ve been IBS-free for quite a few years now,” she explained.

Bevington believes that healing involves more than just addressing physical ailments. She emphasizes the importance of processing emotional and psychological traumas. “We don’t just digest food and drink—we digest situations, emotions, thoughts, everything,” she said. By addressing these deeper issues, she found clarity and a pathway to healing.

To share her methods, Bevington used speech-to-text software to write her book, which she hopes to publish within the next four to six weeks. The title of the book serves as a metaphor for self-acceptance and encourages readers to embrace their true selves without shame. “The textbook is to help people use the knowledge I’ve used in their own way,” she said.

Bevington is also seeking support through a GoFundMe campaign to create a magazine-style workbook that visually represents her journey and techniques. She estimates needing around €12,000 to complete the project, having raised over €3,000 so far. Her goal is to make the workbook engaging, incorporating cartoons and powerful exercises to assist others in their healing journeys.

In addition to her writing, Bevington has turned to social media to connect with a broader audience. On TikTok, where she has amassed over 48,000 followers, she shares her insights and promotes her message that “being afraid to fart can ruin your life.” Some of her videos have gone viral, including one that garnered over 5.6 million views.

“Laughter is the best medicine, and you should not be afraid to express yourself truly and live free from shame,” Bevington stated, highlighting the importance of embracing one’s identity and experiences. She has created a supportive community where followers can share their experiences and challenges, reinforcing her belief in the power of authenticity and self-expression.

Through her book and outreach efforts, Bevington aims to inspire others to confront their challenges and live their lives free from the constraints of societal shame. Her journey exemplifies resilience and the potential for personal transformation against the backdrop of significant adversity.