I have Crohn’s Disease.

It’s a very simple thing to say – and it does get easier to say as time goes on.  It’s still not something I like to publish about myself because of the way people look at you.  We’re meant to live in this accepting world – but the reality is, few people are built to deal with the realities of chronic illness.  Whether that be dealing with suffering from it, dealing with a loved one with it or dealing with hearing about it.

Chronic illness has a stigma attached to it – part of what I’m trying to do with this blog is find out why the stigma exists and perhaps change just a few peoples minds.

I was diagnosed with the disease in 2010 after what seems like a lifetime of suffering from a disease that everyone wanted to ignore.  My medical records infer that I had the disease from the age of about 8 but I may have been born with it.

I started this story just before I got my “official” diagnosis.  It chronicles not only my fears, thoughts and triumphs but also the reactions of the people in my life.

I know from experience that sometimes all you need someone to say is “that sucks” and all you need to believe is that your not crazy.  I hope I can help people at all different stages of the disease with my story…

It really does suck to have Crohn’s Disease and trust me… you’re not crazy.