1988 Great Comebacks® Program Award Recipient
“My ostomy has never stopped me from being as active as I’ve wanted,” said Brian.
When Brian Sisselman underwent ostomy surgery in 1987 for ulcerative colitis, he feared his life as a globe-trotting, adventure filmmaker was over. Six months after surgery, however, this Great Comebacks® recipient was back in action, showing others that living with an ostomy doesn’t mean living your life with limitations.
Over the next 18 years, Brian traveled the world filming adventure skiers, car racers, and the natural history of rural towns and villages in some of the most remote places in the world. His desire, however, to spend more time with his wife and two sons eventually led to a new career undertaking.
In 2005, Brian and his wife of 17 years, Jenna, began designing a line of madras clothing. Soon their small business venture, Cape Madras, exploded and they now fulfill orders for more than 500 stores.
“My ostomy has never stopped me from being as active as I’ve wanted,” said Brian. “Sharing my story was important to me as I recall laying in the hospital wishing I knew of someone who had gone through surgery and was still doing all the activities they loved.”
In addition to helping to run Cape Madras, Brian, 59, of Cape Elizabeth, ME, recently completed a winter sports series and is working on a feature length documentary profiling the daily lives of people in Cuba.
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