Me & IBD Strategies for Living Weekenders

Crohn's and Colitis UK is offering the opportunity for people aged between 18 and 25 years of age to join us for a weekend where we will explore what it means to live with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).

There will be workshop sessions and time to share your experiences and coping strategies with other young adults, as well as some social time!

The workshops will cover:

Problem Solving

Food

Relationships

Travel

Education and work

Your health service

We are holding 4 events across the UK:

        Dates                    Location                      Closing Date for Booking
     27/28 July                 Liverpool                                    5 July
     10/11 Aug                   Cardiff                                    19 July 
 31 Aug/1 Sept              Edinburgh                                   9 Aug
    28/29 Sept               Chelmsford                                 30 Aug

There are 20 places available at each event, and places will be allocated on a "first come, first served basis".

Full flyer here

To register your interest in participating in a Me & IBD weekend, complete the registration form.

Additional Information and the important small print stuff:

Accommodation will be provided Saturday night only

Accommodation will be a single room with en suite facility

You will be expected to make your own travel arrangement, including covering your travel costs. In exceptional circumstances Crohn's and Colitis UK may be able to provide some assistance with travel costs, please contact elliot.james@crohnsandcolitis.org.uk or call the Member Involvement and Volunteering Team on 01727 734497 to discuss

There will be a charge of £20 per person, payable once a place has been confirmed

Participants will be expected to arrive at 10.30am for an 11am start on the Saturday and leave after lunch on the Sunday

Meals will be provided

Crohn’s and Colitis UK does not accept responsibility for the property and valuables of participants, and attendees are advised to take out personal effects insurance.

Spreading the word through Social Media

 (or "so-shal meeja" as trendy people pronounce it)....

We're lucky here because we get people writing to us asking to write guest posts and sometimes we look at other IBD blogs and badger the writers to write us something. It all works really well because we post something, they post something and lots of people get to see real stories about life with Crohn's or Ulcerative Colitis.

One example is Ben, our guest blogger from Monday 13th May who  has a dinosaur onesie (oh and Crohn's). He talked about learning who your real friends are when you have IBD. A very good point and a well written article - read it here

Ben then wrote on his own blog - the awesome MeAndMyCrohns and tweeted about it - @MrAwesomeBen. And lots of people read it.

It's so simple but so effective. So if you're reading this blog and thinking "That's interesting"... share it. Someone else probably will find it helpful too.

You're welcome!

Guest Blog - Gabi

At the age of 16 I was diagnosed with Crohn’s disease, but it was long before that that I

decided on a career in fashion. Aged 10 I sent 40 hand drawn designs to my favourite high street store and at 15 asked British Vogue for work experience. Working in the fashion industry has always been my dream and being diagnosed with a chronic disease was not going to change that.

I am now 21, and am still as determined as always to make this dream a reality. For the past five and half years I have battled not only with school, university and work experience but also with my health. I am very open about my condition but hate to be seen as an ‘ill person’. 

I have always soldiered on, with no complaints, rather than make a fuss even when the exhaustion and pain is unbearable. I have learnt the hard way that this is not always the best attitude to have, and sometimes your body really does need a rest. However, I think this determination to not let Crohn’s stand in my way has benefited my life in the fashion industry. Despite stays in hospital, being on endless amounts of medication and missing months of school and Uni I have still managed to secure placements at some of the world’s leading fashion magazines. Over the years I have also learnt to listen to my body, when I need to take it easy and sleep that is exactly what I do; I no longer fight against IBD.

In September 2012 I began what has been the worst flare so far and this one has been different. Rather than just having a flare in my large intestine, as before, this time round I have also developed a perianal flare. I went from having internships lined up for months to spending my days in the bath or in bed, trying to soothe the pain. My Drs have tried every medication available but unfortunately last month I found out that I will be needing an ileostomy. Hopefully it will be reversed once my bowel has been rested but the likelihood is my bag (‘Margaret’) will be permanent. This will be a huge life style adjustment, not only will I have to get to grips with owning a stoma bag and never pooing or farting in the same way again but it also comes with huge body image challenges.

I have chosen to make my way in one of the most glamorous and cut throat industries and Crohn’s is not a glamorous disease. Drs help you deal with the practical, medical aspect of owning a stoma, but for a lot of people it is the appearance and how it makes you feel that are the biggest hurdles. I don’t like to think of myself as vain but I know for me, I worry about what clothes I will wear and how I will lie on the beach in a bikini again, and I don’t think I am alone in worrying about this.

Example of an ileostomy

I want to show people that despite having a chronic disease you can still achieve everything that you want to. I want to get rid of the stigma that comes with having an IBD and make it okay to talk about! I also want to concentrate on IBD and the fashion industry.

There are so many options out there for stoma owners and I have only just started my journey with Margaret, but I think a lot more can be done.

That is why I have started my blog www.giftofthegab1.blogspot.co.uk, so that I can share my journey with you all. I tackle IBD with light hearted humour, but I am also frank and honest. I talk about everything that comes with having Crohn’s as well as the life of a fashion intern. I look at clothes and swimwear and how I can make owning a stoma work for me. There are many challenges still to come my way but in true Gabi style I will tackle them head on and always with a smile on my face.