Nia's Ulcerative Colitis Story

I am 28 years old and was diagnosed with Ulcerative Colitis on 28th December 2006 at 19 years of age, after a miserable Christmas of not being able to eat my Christmas dinner and the GP believing I had food poisoning!

After 2 weeks of suffering, I was finally admitted into hospital on the 27th December 2006 and diagnosed with mild to moderate Ulcerative Colitis via a Sigmoidoscopy... could have fooled me, felt anything but mild! After various tests and IV medication, I was discharged a week later with medication which I now have to take for the rest of my life.

Since then, I have had one other hospital stay, various tests and examinations, average a flare of the disease once every 6 months and have now been diagnosed with severe Ulcerative Colitis. I have also been diagnosed with Coeliac Disease but that's an entirely different story.

I am currently in remission and loving life again. My good health has allowed me to go into business with my partner David and we have started a dog walking and pet sitting business called Tails In Motion.

I have decided to take part in WALK IT Swansea not only to raise awareness and money for Crohn's and Colitis UK but to finally meet others like me who share my struggles and experiences.