When I read about the skydive day in the Crohn's & Colitis UK newsletter, it seemed a good idea.
Maybe less of a good idea as August 12^th approaches!  I'm going to be brave - it's an opportunity to literally jump out of my comfort zone, to increase awareness about Inflammatory Bowel Disease & raise some money for a very good cause.

Eleanor Roosevelt said, “You gain strength, courage, and confidence by every experience in which you really stop to look fear in the face”.  Let’s hope so! I’m quietly terrified.

Crohn's & Colitis UK have been a big help to our family since my son was diagnosed with Ulcerative Colitis. He was given information about the charity at his first hospital appointment & it helped us all at a very scary time. Their website has so much information about Inflammatory Bowel Disease & the treatments - it’s easy to understand and has lots of helpful detail, whatever your background knowledge.

Crohn's & Colitis UK are working hard to increase awareness of the symptoms of IBD & to improve early diagnosis. They provide symptom checkers to encourage young people to approach their GP & suggests the words to use. The website also links to learning resources for health care professionals (fellow GPs, please add it to your PDP today!  https://crohnsandcolitis.org.uk/our-work/healthcare-professionals/resources-for-hcps)

UC & Crohn’s often present during teens & twenties. From Crohn's & Colitis UK website: ‘More than a quarter of people wait more than a year for a diagnosis of Crohn’s or Colitis. During this time, debilitating symptoms like severe stomach pain and diarrhoea mean nearly half end up in A&E at least once while waiting for a diagnosis. Because of the stigma and misunderstanding surrounding these conditions, thousands suffer in silence.’

A big thank you for any amount you can donate. It will make a real difference to young people & their families.