21 Years... Wow!

My cousins battle.

As many of you know (and for those that don't), I was diagnosed with Ulcerative Colitis aged 15. I have now lived with the condition longer than I lived without it. 21yrs later, I still struggle with certain elements and have to find ways to navigate and talk about it. The journey continues.

I try to raise awareness often, by having conversations about chronic conditions (Ulcerative Colitis, Crohn's Disease, IBS, IBD), sharing information such as leaflets and websites and now for the second time - taking part in a charity walk. 👣

Having a chronic illness can greatly affect energy levels as well as so much more. So I am going to try my best to push myself not just mentally and emotionally, but physically!

I'm so grateful for any support I can get. If I can smash the target - even better! 👌 Please take a moment to share this with others and support me in raising awareness and shining a light on invisible illnesses such as mine.

Thank You! 💜

#PurpleForCrohnsColitis #ItTakesGuts #GetYaBellyOut #UCWarrior

Quick UC Facts:

* Ulcerative Colitis is a disease of the large bowel and is one of two main types of Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD).

* Your immune system doesn’t work properly so the body attacks itself, causing inflammation in the rectum and colon - but it can affect the whole body in different ways including your mental health.

* It’s a lifelong condition, is not infectious, and there’s currently no cure.

* The symptoms can really fluctuate, which means you can have long periods of feeling well (remission) and then periods of very considerable ill-health (a flare up).

Charity Info

Crohn’s & Colitis UK are the UK’s leading charity for Crohn’s and Colitis.

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.

But they’re not alone.

We’re working to improve diagnosis and treatment, and to fund research into a cure; to raise awareness and to give people hope, comfort and confidence to live freer, fuller lives.