Famous People with Crohn's or Colitis - The Prescotts

The Prescott family are our first Family Ambassadors. Former Deputy Prime Minister Lord John Prescott's

daughter-in-law, Roz, has Ulcerative Colitis and the family have spoken publicly on ITV's This Morning and at Crohn's and Colitis UK events - including at the Houses of Parliament and No.10 Downing Street.

Roz says, "Before my diagnosis, I was always on the go, happy and determined and ambitious. After I was diagnosed with Colitis, everything changed. I knew nothing about the disease and it changed my life overnight. The symptoms can be debilitating ,painful, embarrassing and even frustrating, but my advice is you must fight it. Once you understand it, you can take control and eventually you will get back to some sort of normality. I found speaking to Crohn's and Colitis UK really helped me through a very difficult time."

"A week after giving birth to my daughter, Ava Grace, I was admitted to hospital for emergency surgery to remove my bowel, which resulted in me having to have an ileostomy bag."

For more of Roz' story watch her video:

For more information on all the Crohn's and Colitis UK Ambassadors and Champions visit the charity's website.

Famous People with Crohn's or Colitis - Ali Jawad

Did you know that Crohn's and Colitis UK have a number of Celebrity Ambassadors and Champions, all of whom have done sterling work in raising funds and awareness for the charity.

Today's Ambassador profile is Ali Jawad, whose story is one of genuine inspiration, courage and overcoming obstacles. Ali, we salute you!

Ali Jawad is a British Paralympic Powerlifter who competed at the London 2012 Paralympic Games. 

"I’m honoured to join the ranks of sporting Champions who are using our careers and network of contacts to raise awareness of Crohn’s and Colitis (together known as IBD, or inflammatory bowel diseases). Every year in the UK, 18,000 people are newly-diagnosed, the majority in their late teens and early twenties."

"I was diagnosed in my early twenties and, to be honest, I thought it was the end of my dreams of Paralympic glory. I was in constant pain, feeling weak (not a good idea for a powerlifter!) and at times, quite depressed - particularly when I found that there is no known cure for Crohn’s Disease."

"A few months later, following surgery, I pulled myself together and went into intensive training for the London 2012 Paralympics. It was touch and go whether I would qualify, due to a flare-up, but I did. Narrowly missing out on a medal has only made me more determined to try and get to Rio and have another go."

Find out more in Ali's video for Crohn's and Colitis UK:

You can find out more about all the Crohn's and Colitis UK Ambassadors and Champions on the Crohn's and Colitis UK Website.