Story
I'm Jess and was diagnosed with Colitis in 2001, when I was only 11.
Not many people who know me were even aware of it because well..it’s embarrassing, how can you explain the symptoms without grossing people out?
But I've grown up a lot and try to explain things and try to not make anyone feel uncomfortable.
I am 'fortunate' to have a mild case of Colitis..I don't suffer with many flare ups. Although stress, excitement, nerves (anything it seems) can cause my belly to go a bit dodgy..
I've spoken to people who have got it way worse, where surgery was the only way to make them better!!
So I have decided to do a skydive for Crohn's and Colitis UK. I want to prove that having Crohn's/Colitis won't stop you from leading a normal life, I think it makes you a more determined person.
I admit, this is going to be a scary challenge but you only live once and I'm willing to do anything to spread awareness for Crohn's and Colitis.
As my mother has said to me 'Colitis is like an annoying Relative, you don't know when they'll turn up and how long they'll stay'.
Darren Fletcher, a footballer for Manchester United was diagnosed with ulcerative colitis. This would have definitely opened some peoples eyes about it who probably have never heard of the disease.
Crohn's and Colitis are incurable..hopefully it'll change one day.