Gutsy generation; Website aimed at young people living with inflammatory bowel disease

CORNER BROOK - The Crohn's and Colitis Foundation of Canada (CCFC) has launched a new website to improve communication among youth affected by inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).

The website, www.thegutsygeneration.ca, creates a mode of communication amongst youth with IBD and includes educational information for youth that they may find helpful for understanding their disease better.

"I think the website will help youth living with IBD realize that they don't have to be ashamed of their disease, that they can live with it, and live a normal life just like any other young person their age," said Natalie Wells of Corner Brook, secretary with the CCFC's Youth Advisory Council (YAC).

Wells said the site also serves as a way to tell youth a little more about the CCFC and ultimately get them interested in volunteering with the foundation.

Wells feels the biggest challenge for her, since being diagnosed with Crohn's, was university life. She feels that it is probably the same with most students that suffer from IBD.

"University life or high school can be a stressful time for any student, but when you're going through a flare up it can be even worse," says Wells.

In her third year of study at Sir Wilfred Grenfell College, Wells became very ill with Crohn's and had to miss many classes and exams. She had her exams deferred twice and studied while in the hospital. However, Wells got through that rough time in her life and obtained all of her credits for that semester.

Wells is also a project leader for the YAC's education days group where she has worked on projects for chapters to incorporate youth into meetings. This has included two education days - one in Edmonton and one in Halifax this past march. Youth from the area attended and participated in small group work and watched a series of presentations.

Kaella Carr, chair of the YAC, also believes the website will have a huge positive effect.
"There are nearly 200,000 Canadians suffering with IBD. Many of them are under the age of 25.

"This website is what youth across the country have been asking for. It provides a place where they can go to connect with others, share their stories and get advice on what to tell other people in their life who may have questions about Crohn's or colitis.

"It also gives them a connection to the foundation which will ultimately engage them as volunteers and help bring us all closer to finding the cure."

The YAC aims to increase youth involvement within the CCFC by 50 per cent in the next year.