It’s that time of the year again! The Digestive Disease National Coalition’s Public Policy Forum is upon us and I am currently sitting in the Atlanta airport waiting for my next flight to DC. Since the passing of Affordable Care Act, the assault on autoimmune disease & disabled patients has been brutal. And those of us that are healthier than others must be the voice and take a stand.
This year, I feel a bit more determined to be heard and kick up a storm. 2014 was a pretty hard year for me health wise. No where near where I have been in the past, but with a “cure” it should be a whole lot better. I was diagnosed with Spondylitis that seemed to jump from moderate to severe very quickly. I became close to the nurses at Cedars Sinai because of my chronic pouchitis and dehydration. And there were some days I have to “cane it”. But on the upswing, my mom took pity on me and finally cut the bangs I’ve been wanting since I was 15! oh and my hair is super long and thick! See? Silver lining!
Okay, but seriously. Diseases like IBD, AS, Chronic Pouchitis should be as well known as asthma, cancer, HIV. They are just as debilitating, life changing and deadly. So, here I am. Once again braving the snow & cold to try and make a difference. Follow me this weekend!