Join us as we undertake the grueling (and wonderful) UK 3 Peaks challenge, raising money for Crohn's & Colitis UK! This is a personal quest for me as I was diagnosed with Crohn's disease 15 years ago.

ABOUT CROHN'S DISEASE

So, what is Crohn's Disease? Crohn's Disease is an auto-immune disease. A chronic illness with no cure. When you have it, you have it for life. And it is one of the more common chronic illnesses in the world.

It is estimated that 157 of every 100,000 people in the UK have this condition, often being diagnosed in teenage years. It is more than likely that you know someone who is diagnosed with it. 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.

It mainly affects your digestive system, as your own body attacks itself, causing a whole heap of problems including blockages, extreme pain, extreme fatigue, malnutrition, anemia, and all of the problems that spiral out from those. Because of the stigma and misunderstanding surrounding these diseases, thousands of people are suffering in silence.

Treatments can only mitigate symptoms, and these often come with their own risks and unique side effects, such as immune suppression (which was scary during COVID-19!), surgery and steroid treatments. And the kicker? Some of these treatments are only temporary, meaning that your body can develop resistance or that your symptoms can come back.

MY JOURNEY

My journey with treatment has been an uphill battle since I was diagnosed, including a revolving door of allergic reactions, failed medications, hospitalization, feeding tubes, injections, regular scans, bloodwork and more, with sporadic and limited times of remission.

All that being said, it is not classed as a disability. I have always tried to live in spite of my chronic illness even though there are things that I cannot do and considerations I have to have that others may not be aware of.

I have recently been trying to embrace my illness, living in harmony with my body instead of pushing it too far, but this in itself feels like an uphill battle at times, easier said than done. And this Three Peaks Challenge is a fantastic way to put this into practice, while raising money for a fantastic cause.

OUR THREE PEAKS CHALLENGE

I am joining this incredible Three Peaks Challenge as the driver. My fiancée, Joe, and one of my best friends, Marcus, will be doing the hiking.

Together, we'll be racing against the clock to climb the tallest mountains in England, Wales, and Scotland...consecutively...in under 24 hours! Ambitious? Certainly. Realistic? Possibly. Achievable? Well, we're damn well going to try!

ABOUT CROHN'S & COLITIS UK

Crohn’s & Colitis UK are 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.

Find more at https://crohnsandcolitis.org.uk/