Join my team "Puma Pants" here: https://app.realbuzzregistrations.com/events/crohns-and-colitis-uk-2/walk-it-manchester-2020/login/?next=%2Fevents%2Fcrohns-and-colitis-uk-2%2Fwalk-it-manchester-2020%2F

I was diagnosed with ulcerative colitis at age 14, after being unwell for months. It took a year to recover however my mental health suffered. I had no psychological support with the diagnosis, and I was scared and isolated. The struggle no one expects is the psychological struggle, and I suffered from depression for a long time after my diagnosis. After the first year, my physical health was very stable, however in the past couple of years I have had some bad gut infections and a flare-up (I now take a minimum of 10 pills a day). However, I am lucky. I have never had surgery or a long hospital stay, I am healthy (most of the time) I have fantastic support from my family, and without my ulcerative colitis I would not have gone to medical school. For my 10 year anniversary of my diagnosis with ulcerative colitis, I am celebrating with this fundraiser, and I am so grateful for all those who join and/or support!

From the charity: We’re the UK’s leading charity for Crohn’s and Colitis.Right now, over 300,000 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.