In November 2023 our Girl’s life was flipped upside down. To be diagnosed with a lifelong chronic illness at the age of 17 felt especially cruel. Just as she was starting her final year at school and looking towards further education and the start of her adult life.

Ill health over the last two years has robbed Kirsten of so many special times, lasts, firsts, holidays, parties, nights out and the carefree lives of her peers. Throughout hospital stays, scary decisions, harsh medications and being mostly housebound , our girl has kept her beautiful smile in place and thankfully her sense of humour is so strong!

We are so proud of Kirsten who has continued to support her families special moments over the last couple of years, whilst navigating a whole new life, diet and future for herself. It turns out that fake tan and a huge smile can hide a lot of pain.

This was never more true than at her Brother’s wedding, her Auntie’s wedding and when she made it out of hospital for her prom.

As a family we are so grateful to the care Kirsten has had and to Crohns and Colitis UK for their support, information and research that had been invaluable.

Right now, an estimated 500,000 people in the UK are living with a lifelong disease that many people have never heard of. And the real number could be almost double that.

Because of the stigma and misunderstanding surrounding these diseases, thousands of people are suffering in silence.

Kirsten and I want to raise awareness of IBD and the related symptoms and effects. It is an invisible illness and one that is difficult to talk about. It’s not just a sore tummy , if anyone is worried please get checked ❤️