Crohn's & Colitis UK are the UK's leading charity for Crohn's and Colitis. Right now, over 500,000 people in the UK are living with a lifelong disease that many people have never heard of. I am taking part in the Big Winter Workout 31/31 challenge to support Crohn's & Colitis UK. I really appreciate any donation and support to help Crohn's & Colitis UK's mission to improve diagnosis and treatment; to fund research and raise awareness of these conditions

I am Emma and from the outside I look perfectly healthy, that person that loves the gym, who is super determined and super competitive. I have a successful career and work full time. My most valuable treasures are my family my husband Mark and my 2 babies Harry and Eimear. To most people I have a perfectly normal existence…..

The reality is/was different. I was diagnosed with Crohns Disease at aged 16 and have lived with this illness for 20 years. I have received amazing medical care and support which has allowed me to have that normal life in between the flare ups. Crohns has never held me back and never will but the past 20 years have included daily medications including immunosuppressants and biologic drugs. This was a source of much anxiety as I constantly worried about future health as a consequence of using these therapies.

 At aged 25 a routine scope identified high grade dysplasia and I had no alternative but to have the majority of my bowel removed. This was a traumatic time for me and my family. The reason for needing the surgery as well as adapting to life after was hard but like everything you get through. My first surgery happened at a time where I just embarked on a new career as well as at a time when I was required to think about fertility when I was not ready to start a family.  

For the next 11 years I received annual surveillance scopes, tested and tried more concoctions of drugs and continued in the flare up- remission cycle. I also had more highs than lows and during this time I got married, eventually got pregnant and had 2 special miracle babies and progressed my career. 

In February 2022 the annual scope showed significant inflammation again and the drug treatment was not keeping me in remission! I agreed to have further surgery to remove the remainder of my bowel and as of the 15th September I gained what my 4 year old calls my ‘special pouch.’ Physical recovery was easy but the mental impact and trauma associated with the illness should not be underestimated. I am doing really well and am working towards getting back to the fitness level I was prior to surgery.  Although not ideal my stoma gives me a better quality of life, it provides me with more flexibility and it has enabled me to stop all medication for the first time in 20 years and for that I am truly grateful. 

It’s been a bumpy journey but the highs outweigh the lows. It’s a journey that teaches you a lot about people and one that makes you appreciate the important things in life! It has been a journey that has never stopped me achieving my goals, dreams and aspirations even though at times I had to fight that bit harder! I got there and for that I am grateful.

 To those that helped and supported me thank you so much!

Grateful if you could donate a small amount of money to support research and raise awareness into this disease and to encourage people to remove the taboo associated with this illness! 

Emma xx