I've lived with an NG (naso-gastric) feeding tube for the past nearly 3 years. An NG tube goes into your nose, past your throat, down your esophagus and into your stomach.
Many reasons exist that in turn may result in someone requiring a feeding tube. The condition which results in my need for a feeding tube is called psychosomatic/functional vomiting, what this means is I cannot keep food down and most liquids as when I swallow most things my brain sends the wrong signals to my stomach, instead of telling the stomach to digest food my brain tells my stomach that what I've swallowed is harmful and to get rid of it.
Having a feeding tube isn't easy, it's really quite difficult at times. With a nasal tube one of the biggest issues is the stares from other people as it's not the norm to have a tube on your face, stares from people can often result in feelings of insecurity, embarrassment and upset. However, feeding tubes don't have to hold you back. At the beginning of last year I was at a low point regarding my self esteem. I felt very down about having a feeding tube and it was really starting to affect me. April last year I entered a prestigious beauty pageant in the UK, not thinking I'd get anywhere with it. I was gobsmacked to receive notice that I'd been selected as a grand finalist to compete as one of 15 girls aged 19-29, representing Scotland at the final. I went on to compete last March. I felt rather nervous about competing with a feeding tube, unsure of the reactions I'd get however on stepping on the stage my confidence grew massively and I rocked it! It was truly the confidence boost I needed and since then I've never looked back.

I do still live in hope that one day I will be able to look back upon this as some sort of nightmare that's now over and I'll be able to sustain myself nutritionally via oral eating.