I was diagnosed with Crohns and Colitis in 2007, when I was 17 after suffering with a number of terrible symptoms., that no 17 year old wants to ever go through.                                                                                                    My family and i had never heard of it until I got it, so it was quite a shock and we all did a little bit of research as to why I might have it. But it turns out, nobody knows why you get this nasty illness, not even the experts. 

I was in and out of hospital and on and off different strong medication trying all sorts. Steroids being the worst of them. I lost count how many times I was on them but I can remember how awful they made me feel making me put weight on. But those tiny little tablets was the only things that made me feel even nearly normal for a short while.

Stopped me going to toilet every hour for what felt like an hour! Stopped me from getting up continuously through the night to go to the toilet being in agony and feeling like I should just sleep outside the bathroom. Stopped me from being a recluse and give me my social life back. But like I said, just for a short while. Because the vicious flare up and attacks of the disease would soon come back with a vengeance. Which felt worse every time it did so. 

I tried to keep it together and I tried to be strong but it is such a lonely illness to live with. I understand why, it is hard for people to understand something they can't see. You can look OK on the outside if you're good at holding it together. But what is going on in the inside is a whole different story. 

After 3 years of suffering and being on all the Immunosuppression drugs, they started to take toll on my body and effecting me in other ways, in September 2010 I got admitted with having ulcers in my gullet and all over my mouth and throat. But that was just the beginning of a different journey altogether. My Crohns/Colitis was worse then ever but my medical team couldn't give me the appropriate medication for it as I was too poorly. I was spiking temperatures of 38 for weeks on end, I had an abnormal heart rate. And nothing would settle it down. I had every test and scan you could think imaginable. At the time I didn't realise it as I tried not to over think what was happening to me, but I was dying. My body couldn't take anymore and my Medical team and consultants had no idea what to do with me. Other than surgery. My worst nightmare.

But at this stage I was too poorly to care. So I went in for emergency surgery on Dec 13th 2010. It was successful and I came out with a Permanent Ileostomy. It was difficult to get my head around being a 20 year old girl having something I thought only older people got.                       But as time went on, I got used to it. As I started to feel better and realise I could eat foods again I had not eaten for a couple of years, and I could go out and drink again, with consequences of getting drunk quicker mind. And I just had my health back. My medication free healthy new life! 

As I started my new life I begun to realise I needed to do something different, an adventure. So I moved to Tenerife. I worked in the bars and I actually had the time of my life. I met new friends from all over the world and I never once felt ashamed of what I had or who I was. Everyone that new about my new little accessory, made me feel no different and comfortable. I would go around my pool every day in a bikini with no shame, because why the hell not?!

I met my amazing boyfriend in Tenerife, who has supported me from day one and makes me feel like everyone is like me and I am no different. My adventure in Tenerife came to an end for me and my boyfriend. 

So my next chapter started back in my home town, where it all began. After moving abroad by myself and being so open about my illness and my pouch, I felt like I could tell the world. So I did. I wanted to help people like me that maybe wasn't so confident in showing the world. I wanted to be their voice and raise awareness about this disease. So I wrote my story into a magazine which went down a storm! I got amazing responses and support. So I didn't want to stop there. I then got in contact with my local paper after hearing they wanted to speak to sufferers regarding medication and the treatment you receive in hospital, so I had my say and had a spread in my Telegraph.

So that was that, but now what? I've had my face and my pouch in a Magazine, all over the internet and in my paper. So now I think its time to do my bit for my Charity and help to raise them some money. With the help of all you guys. 

So, I thought I would keep open my JustGiving page all through 2015 and raise as much as possible. But I am not just here taking your money. I am also going to be doing charity Walks and Runs and possibly even an event in Grimsby my home time! No, I don't have anything set in stone, but I can promise you the more money I raise, the more fundraisers I will be taking part in, and you have it in writing, right?

There is no Cure for Crohns and Colitis, that is the sad truth of it. So CCUK is grateful for every penny you can spare because it really can make a difference. I do not regret getting my Ileostomy as it saved my life, but if in the future we can prevent some young 20 year old girl from having to go through all that pain and trauma, why wouldn't we want to help?

Thanks for taking the time to visit my JustGiving page.

Donating through JustGiving is simple, fast and totally secure. Your details are safe with JustGiving – they’ll never sell them on or send unwanted emails. Once you donate, they’ll send your money directly to the charity. So it’s the most efficient way to donate – saving time and cutting costs for the charity.