Take Steps for Crohn's and Colitis
Today, I attended my second annual Take Steps for Crohn's and Colitis walk at CHS Field in St. Paul. You might wonder what this means for me...let me tell you my story...
In January 2006 my life was forever changed. I had digestive problems for about a year prior to that and I went to countless appointments, had many blood tests done, and had a number of procedures. In January of 2006 I agreed to have a colonoscopy at age 17. The results were in: I had Crohn's Disease.
Crohn's is a form of Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) and is an autoimmune disease which attacks the base of my small intestine and the beginning of my large intestine. It causes a number of issues including abdominal pain, diarrhea, gas, and every other "lovely" symptom you can think of.
In 2016 at age 27 I decided to commemorate 10 years with Crohn's by "coming out" with my story. I wrote a note and put it up on social media -- something that to be honest terrified me to do, and I put it all out there. I shared my story. Instead of causing embarrassment like I had thought it might, it brought me peace, joy, and a new mission of increasing awareness and raising money for new treatments for IBD patients.
My disease now is fairly well controlled. I still have rough days. I still visit the bathroom way more than the normal person. But...I'm lucky. I am able to work. I am able to live a normal life. I am able to meet with friends and I am able to leave my house. Many other people with Crohn's and ulcerative colitis ultimately aren't so lucky. However...I still struggle. I still have hard days. I still have days where my disease takes over. Many, many people were so surprised to learn of my disease because I look "normal". I don't look sick. But I am.
I choose to not let Crohn's disease run my life. There are days when I can't ignore it, days where I have to stay home...but those are few and far between. My life is not defined by my illness, and I choose to not let it be defined by my illness. I am lucky. So lucky. There are people who have had numerous surgeries. People who are fed by an IV. People who can't work. People who can't leave their house. When it comes to advocacy I don't only stand for myself; I stand for the 1.6 million people in the United States who have been diagnosed with Crohn's and colitis....and the 70,000 Americans who have new diagnoses every year.
Awareness for IBD has become one of my biggest passions. I once wouldn't even tell my closest friends I was struggling and now I tell the whole world. I've made friends with others with Crohn's. I have discovered that a few acquaintances I've known -- some for years! -- who have Crohn's or colitis and I never knew. No one talks about it. And people should.
I am stronger than Crohn's disease ever will be. It will not take over my life, but I will continue to share my story in order to help as many others as I can.
In January 2006 my life was forever changed. I had digestive problems for about a year prior to that and I went to countless appointments, had many blood tests done, and had a number of procedures. In January of 2006 I agreed to have a colonoscopy at age 17. The results were in: I had Crohn's Disease.
Crohn's is a form of Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) and is an autoimmune disease which attacks the base of my small intestine and the beginning of my large intestine. It causes a number of issues including abdominal pain, diarrhea, gas, and every other "lovely" symptom you can think of.
In 2016 at age 27 I decided to commemorate 10 years with Crohn's by "coming out" with my story. I wrote a note and put it up on social media -- something that to be honest terrified me to do, and I put it all out there. I shared my story. Instead of causing embarrassment like I had thought it might, it brought me peace, joy, and a new mission of increasing awareness and raising money for new treatments for IBD patients.
My disease now is fairly well controlled. I still have rough days. I still visit the bathroom way more than the normal person. But...I'm lucky. I am able to work. I am able to live a normal life. I am able to meet with friends and I am able to leave my house. Many other people with Crohn's and ulcerative colitis ultimately aren't so lucky. However...I still struggle. I still have hard days. I still have days where my disease takes over. Many, many people were so surprised to learn of my disease because I look "normal". I don't look sick. But I am.
I choose to not let Crohn's disease run my life. There are days when I can't ignore it, days where I have to stay home...but those are few and far between. My life is not defined by my illness, and I choose to not let it be defined by my illness. I am lucky. So lucky. There are people who have had numerous surgeries. People who are fed by an IV. People who can't work. People who can't leave their house. When it comes to advocacy I don't only stand for myself; I stand for the 1.6 million people in the United States who have been diagnosed with Crohn's and colitis....and the 70,000 Americans who have new diagnoses every year.
Awareness for IBD has become one of my biggest passions. I once wouldn't even tell my closest friends I was struggling and now I tell the whole world. I've made friends with others with Crohn's. I have discovered that a few acquaintances I've known -- some for years! -- who have Crohn's or colitis and I never knew. No one talks about it. And people should.
I am stronger than Crohn's disease ever will be. It will not take over my life, but I will continue to share my story in order to help as many others as I can.
Comments
Post a Comment