Let’s welcome this week’s warrior, Amy!
I’m Amy & I’m 30 and I was born & live in Yorkshire in the UK. I am partial to a good cuppa (cup of tea), doughnuts, singing & I am a dog Mum. I also love styling outfits & going to gigs.
I got diagnosed with Crohn’s Disease at age 7 after symptoms from as young as I can remember. The diagnosis experience was fairly long and drawn out and I was the third youngest in the UK at the time to have a Crohn’s Diagnosis. I had a permanent stoma (ileostomy) formed in 2011 which saved my life by a matter of hours.
Daily life was increasingly hard to manage and filled with pain and missing out on many things before my stoma surgery in 2011. I have a few hiccups to deal with daily including fatigue, joint pain & having to widen my own stoma.
My journey has taught me that I am strong & if I believe in myself, I can achieve the things I want to, even if it takes time. I own my stoma bag; it doesn’t own me. It also doesn’t summarise who I am. It is just a part of me and a beautiful part of me at that. If you’re struggling, try to speak to yourself with the same kindness you’d use for a friend.
Thank you so much for sharing your IBD journey with us Amy! Be sure to give her a follow on IG @ibdwarriorprincess