BRITTANI NICHOLL - AUSTRALIAN CHAMPION SURFER | Page 3

since having the reversal operation...and for the first time in 16 years, I
could say I was and still am currently in remission!
Those who are close to our family and those who I have grown up with
can't believe where I am today. I have had and still do have great specialists
and with the advancements of medicine I have been living as normal life as
I possibly can.
I believe a combination of both resting of the bowel and the
medications I have been taking have assisted in me now being in remission,
though again I could build a resistance to the current medications I am on,
and the long term effects of these medications is still not a clear path...this
is why funding and awareness is necessary to be able to give us all hope in
finding a cure for this debilitating disease.
After everything that has happened, I have learnt to appreciate
everything so much more. I soon realised how quickly everything could
potentially be taken away from me, including life. I am just grateful for the
life I have, and sure things can be tough and you can get pretty down about
things, but I always think to myself that things could be worse and there are
many people out there that are much worse off then me. I now figure just
to take every day as it comes and not to get too far ahead of myself, whilst
trying to stay as healthy and happy as I can.
Crohn’s & Colitis Australia was founded to help support the Crohn’s
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and Colitis community with a focus on confidential support programs
including education, advocacy, counselling, increasing awareness and
generating funds for research and support.
The 'Can't Wait' campaign is a program created by Crohn's &
Colitis Australia to help raise awareness to the general public, retailers,
businesses and venue operators to allow people with IBD to access their
toilets in times of urgency.
There are over 70,000 people diagnosed with Crohn's disease and
Ulcerative Colitis, and there are many more people being diagnosed daily
as that number is on the rise. This can affect anyone; when I was diagnosed
there didn't seem to be as many people with IBD (Irritable Bowel Disease),
and having someone to talk about it with was difficult.
An IBD problem is difficult to speak about, as it is bowel related. My
wish is to promote this disease more openly, as it can affect anyone at
any time, and for people to have a better understanding of this disease
gives hope to others. Just dealing with this disease on a daily basis can be
a struggle but if I can share my story and provide hope by inspiring and
helping others through tough times and put a smile on their face, then I'm
happy!”
For more information on Crohn's & Colitis and what you can do to
help please visit, www.acca.net.au or www.crohnsandcolitis.com.au
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