Please watch my video for a brief introduction to who I am, what I am doing and why.

https://youtu.be/UhTBh-S_584 

Who are we:
I am Matt Tooke, a primary school teacher in Cornwall and I have Ulcerative Colitis and an ileostomy. I am being supported by 2 amazing friends: Chris Featherstone and Rob Walters.

I have known Chris for many years, he has always been a great friend after we met when pedal car racing. I have raced with Chris in the British Pedal Car Championship as well as in France and Italy. Chris also joined me in Cycling around Devon raising money for the Devon Air Ambulance Trust. Even though he lives in Bristol, he has travelled down to Cornwall to visit and joined me on my first bike ride on the road after surgery.

I taught in the same school as Rob for 4 years. During this time, we built up a strong friendship, which is more than just cycling buddies. When I was in hospital and then recovering at home, Rob took the time to come and visit me many times. Rob is someone who I can always rely on, he is honest and we regularly enjoy a catch up over a cup of coffee.

In May 2016, I was diagnosed with Ulcerative Colitis (often referred to as UC), however before my diagnosis I had never even heard of this debilitating disease.

To really understand my journey, I need to go back to the beginning.

What happened: 
My symptoms (losing blood, rushing to the toilet, pain and rapid weight loss) started in March 2016. After a misdiagnosis and time spent in hospital after I collapsed at home, it was confirmed I had severe ulcerative colitis. I was given hydrocortisone through an IV drip along with other drugs to help me recover. After being discharged and no real solution found I was moved onto the strongest drug they could give me. This is called ‘Humira’ which I would inject into myself every 2 weeks, this would then be changed to weekly to see if there could be any further improvement. Unfortunately, there wasn’t.

What next:
September 12th 2016 saw me readmitted to hospital and within 3 days I was preparing myself for surgery. After I was told surgery was needed I went into panic mode! Do I have to have it? What is a stoma bag? Will my wife still find me attractive? Can I ride my bike? Can I still teach? Thankfully, after a quick look at what a stoma bag was, I found some blogs on my phone. First of all ‘the cycling stoma’ (http://thecyclingstoma.blogspot.co.uk/) made me realise that cycling was possible. She led me to the ‘Gutless Cyclist’ (http://gutlesscyclist.blogspot.co.uk/) in America, this led me to believe that I could train, ride and race pedal cars again (www.pedalcarracing.info) when I had recovered. Having a stoma bag was not going to be the end of my life, it was going to give me my life back. On September 27th 2016, I underwent surgery to have my large intestine entirely removed. This means that the ulcerative colitis will never return, however I am left with a new ‘normal’.

Why raise money for Crohn's and Colitis UK?
After my 1st diagnosis in 2016 I was left with a life changing disease I knew nothing about. However, Crohn's and Colitis UK provided me with information and literature for myself, family and work. From this I changed my diet for the better and was able to get back to work (for a while before surgery). Without them, I would have felt alone and would not have known where to turn.

Crohn's and Colitis UK work hard raising awareness. One recent example is campaigning for a change of signs on disabled toilet doors at many supermarkets. I now use disabled toilets about 30% of the time when out in public. Helping others understand has been key to making me and other sufferers feel more comfortable with our 'hidden disability'.

Currently, there is not a known cure for Crohn's or Ulcerative Colitis. Crohn's and Colitis UK help fund important research striving to improve lives of people with IBD.

Thanks for taking the time to visit my JustGiving page. For more information please visit my blog at https://a-titanium-stoma.health.blog

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