My life with Crohn's disease | Rachel Thomas | TEDxWellington

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  • Опубліковано 26 гру 2024
  • At the age of 16, Rachel was told she had Crohn's disease, an inflammatory bowel disease which causes ulcers in the digestive tract. By 28, her medication was no longer working. She was losing the Game of Crohn's.
    She underwent major surgeries to have a stoma formed, which left her with a bag on her stomach. While about 100,000 people in the US alone have this surgery each year, there are still huge stigmas around stomas. But as she found out, her semicolon enabled freedom and confidence she never thought was possible. Rachel Thomas is originally from Katikati and has been a Wellingtonian since 2016, where she works as a senior health journalist at The Post. When she isn’t doing that she is riding motorbikes, spending time in or around the sea or wandering the aisles of Bunnings Warehouse. At the age of 16 she was diagnosed with Crohn’s disease, then at the age of 28 underwent major surgery which left her with a ‘barbie butt’. Rachel will be delving into her semi-colon story, the intricacies of serious inflammatory bowel disease and invisible illness and explain why a bag on her stomach opened up a world of confidence she never thought was possible. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at www.ted.com/tedx

КОМЕНТАРІ •

  • @michelesmith6734
    @michelesmith6734 25 днів тому +5

    Fantastic presentation I was officially diagnosed 6 months ago with so many years of pain. A stoma is in the horizon for me but you have made me less scared. You are an inspiration and I wish you well.

  • @rukraz721
    @rukraz721 11 днів тому

    Thank you so much. I needed this. My son was just diagnosed with Chron's. He was working on his PhD dissertation and now it has been placed on hold. I'll forward this to him, I know he'll receive some comfort from you. Thank you again.

  • @catherinemcleavey2848
    @catherinemcleavey2848 28 днів тому +4

    I'm about to have a stoma and so frightened. Alex recommended listening to your talk, which has given me so much comfort, peace and hope. Thank you so much.

  • @strigoviro5785
    @strigoviro5785 6 місяців тому +10

    What an incredibly brave, resilient, authentic woman you are! Fantastic and honest presentation.

    • @Rachoojoy
      @Rachoojoy 6 місяців тому

      Thanks so much for watching and your kind words!

  • @kirsafrancis2032
    @kirsafrancis2032 6 місяців тому +5

    Thank you for sharing this! As someone who is facing the probability of the same fate in the future after being recently diagnosed with severe Crohn's you are very inspiring. So thank you x

    • @Rachoojoy
      @Rachoojoy 6 місяців тому +1

      So sorry to hear you're dealing with this, glad this reached you ❤

    • @jobaguley9579
      @jobaguley9579 6 місяців тому

      My 21 year old daughter was also diagnosed at 17 - running out of drugs that work - so, thank you so much for sharing your experience - we are working through the possibility of surgery emotionally atm

  • @CarolFlower-d7k
    @CarolFlower-d7k Місяць тому

    I had a stoma fitted 10 yrs ago. I found it very difficult to accept at first it took a while to learn to cope with it. I found your video very brave and inspiring. Well done you’re a star!!❤

  • @DBarton-Flowers
    @DBarton-Flowers 2 місяці тому +1

    What an inspiring talk, I wish I was as brave about my emergency surgery 11 years ago, although I only have the ileostomy. & the Crohn's of course .
    Thank you for your courage, wishing you everything that you would wish for yourself going forward.

  • @Pamela-q9u
    @Pamela-q9u Місяць тому

    Thank you for spreading awareness ❤️

  • @Gaetano.94
    @Gaetano.94 3 місяці тому

    You are very brave. I had a temporary ileostomy after going septic from my first surgery. Thank you so much for showing more light on people like us. ;

  • @mottovation3231
    @mottovation3231 6 місяців тому +2

    Beautifully told.

  • @VickysTuition
    @VickysTuition 3 місяці тому +3

    Courageous

  • @jonathonms4906
    @jonathonms4906 2 місяці тому +2

    Ive just been diagnosed with Crohn's 38yo, ive been having tummy issues for years. Please people get checked out

    • @mdmoazzamhossain7455
      @mdmoazzamhossain7455 Місяць тому

      What medicine do you take right now? Can you please share. I have been diagnosed with it recently

    • @jonathonms4906
      @jonathonms4906 Місяць тому

      @mdmoazzamhossain7455 I'm on a 4 week steroid course of prednisolone and started mercaptopurine a few weeks ago. I'm doing much better however I did have a few side effects that seem to be under control now. Let me know if you have other questions

  • @brightspirit1
    @brightspirit1 6 місяців тому

    Great TED talk!

  • @Gtwoski
    @Gtwoski Місяць тому +1

    Beautiful

  • @jodiannlovett9161
    @jodiannlovett9161 4 місяці тому +2

    Bravo

  • @desireconners7376
    @desireconners7376 Місяць тому

    SCD diet !

  • @Ankushtreanding
    @Ankushtreanding 6 місяців тому +1

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