Every 30 minutes, someone in the UK is diagnosed with Crohn’s Disease or Ulcerative Colitis.
That’s why Crohn’s and Colitis UK are using World IBD Day on 19 May 2015 to raise awareness and enable more patients to access the best care possible.
With at least 300,000 people in the UK living with Crohn’s or Colitis, this means 1 in 210 people are living with these unpredictable, life-long and potentially life-threatening conditions.
Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) is the term for both Crohn’s Disease and Ulcerative Colitis. Both of these chronic conditions cause ulceration and inflammation in the colon (Ulcerative Colitis) or any part of the digestive system (Crohn’s Disease).
Symptoms can include diarrhea (often with blood), severe pain, extreme fatigue, and dramatic weight loss. There is no cure and people with IBD live lives filled with medication, surgeries and medical treatment as well as embarrassment, isolation and emotional struggles.
I write a blog called So Bad Ass and I work hard to raise awareness of IBD through my website, writing for other outlets and also at public speaking events all over the UK.
I do this because one of the toughest things to deal with is the isolation and embarrassment, and that is why my aim has always been to #stoppoobeingtaboo and the more open we become about these types of illness, the better we can support those with IBD.
What World IBD Day means to me and why you should care too
1 in 210…that’s a lot of people! The thing I am told often is that when someone shares an article or post I have written or when they talk about seeing me speaking at events, that many discover someone close to them has IBD.
Whether it is a family member, a friend or a work colleague, the chances are that you know someone who is either directly or indirectly affected by IBD.
It is embarrassing to talk about ‘poo diseases’, we are taught that it is impolite to discuss toilet habits and so when you have a disease that takes over your whole life but revolves around your bottom, it is very difficult to be open and ask for support.
On World IBD Day, Crohn’s and Colitis UK are launching ‘My Crohn’s & Colitis Care’, a patient guide to the top 10 essentials of a good IBD service. This practical resource has been developed with the support of patients, healthcare professionals and health organisations. The aim of the new guide is to empower people with IBD to get the best from their local health service by working in partnership with their healthcare team.
So what can you do?
You can wear purple today and ask others to do so too and make a donation to Crohn’s and Colitis UK by text, you can donate any amount, to donate £5, you would Text PURP19 £5 to 70070. Alternatively, you can make an online donation at justgiving.com/crohnsandcolitisuk
If you can’t afford to give money right now, then please take a moment to share this post.
Money is needed for support and research but on a personal level, if you can share a message of understanding and kindness, you may just give someone you care about the courage to share their own story and to access support.
Your support could empower someone who is struggling to deal with their illness, your support could save a life.
Be brave, be purple, be an inspiration.
Fuente: metro.co.uk
