As children, we’re asked all the time: ‘If you were a superhero and could have any superpower, which would it be, and why?’
I always wanted to fly. Oh, the outlook! I would be able to see things so few others do. A solid response, if you ask me.
The summer before I entered college, I began struggling with health issues unlike anything I’d ever experienced: extreme abdominal pain, scarily high fevers and excessive bathroom visits. Halfway through the second semester at university, I very vividly remember lying on the floor of the common bathroom, too weak to even walk back to my room in between bathroom visits. It was very much the opposite of flying.
Fast-forward through a lengthy series of exams, many doctor’s visits and a LOT of new medical jargon, and I have a diagnosis – inflammatory bowel disease. More specifically, Crohn’s disease. I redirected all confusion, frustration and fear into learning every single thing I could about this disease that had decided to make itself so intimately a part of my life. I read many books, watched many videos and talked to many people. But for all the facts I consumed about Crohn’s, life truly taught me about my disease in its own time, and in its own way.
Here is what I learned:
A chronic illness makes you unique. I doubt many of you reading this keep a diary of every single thing that goes into or out of your body. I doubt that many of you have had a colonoscopy (or 18) before the age of 50. I’m willing to bet that I have more poop-related items in my home than any person should – and I’ve not purchased a single one of them for myself. Any time friends, family and coworkers see or hear anything relative to poop or the GI tract, they think of me. It’s such an honor.
A chronic illness makes you brave. I could tell you many stories about going to Camp Oasis, an IBD camp. I could tell you all about the songs and the jokes. I could try to explain to you how important it is to win Color Wars. But my favorite things to talk about are the instances of astounding bravery, courage and strength that I witnessed every single day. The strength you summon isn’t physical. Having IBD makes climbing a rock wall even harder. It makes lasting the entire day a feat in and of itself. But finding the bravery to share your story -- in the hope that connecting with others will help heal you and inspire them -- is a memory I cherish and take pride in for myself. And I am even more honored to have seen that courage in my peers.
A chronic illness gives you powerful vision. You see, when I was young and said I wanted to fly, all I really meant was that I wanted to feel special and to see things from another outlook. My Crohn’s disease has brought me these things. It has shown me that I am, quite wonderfully, different from others. It has shown me things that many other people will never see, from a vantage point that most people will never have. It has shown me that I have real superpowers and that superheroes are, in fact, very real.
SUPER humans are around us every single day. And while I may not be able to spread actual wings and fly, my heart has soared countless times thanks to my IBD.
To help reveal the true impact of IBD and highlight the strength and resilience of the patient community, Takeda launched IBD Unmasked, a global awareness initiative launched in the U.S. in partnership with the Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation of America (CCFA) and IBD community members. Join our community at IBDunmasked.com and together we can unmask the truth behind this incessant villain.
Andrea has CD and is one of the co-founders of The Great Bowel Movement (GBM), which aims to empower those with IBD “to embrace their disease, be proud of their experience, and spread awareness throughout their communities.” Active with the Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation of America (CCFA), Andrea serves as the founder of the South Side Support Group, and has participated in CCFA's Take Steps and Team Challenge in prior years.