May was Crohn’s and Colitis Awareness Month and this year it brought a new message for everyone through the Live Fearless campaign—one that focuses on empowering Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) patients to live life fearlessly after their diagnosis.
Dance is my life, my passion and way to inspire that gives me strength to achieve my goals when my body works against me. Find that passion in you that clouds the pain and suffering you experience and go out there and achieve greatness.
I am honoured to be an ambassador for Crohn’s and Colitis Australia and a face for the #Livefearless campaign. I have been living with Crohn’s for a very long time—it is a silent disease that leaves you in constant pain and fatigue, many are taking lots of medications that give you all sorts of side effects and you learn to live day to day with it without a complaint. It becomes a part of your life day to day. People around you don’t know you have it, after all you look like everyone else on the outside—it is a silent disease and one that needs more attention given to it.
And there is no cure.
What is Crohn’s? It is inflammation of the bowel that can cause abdominal pain, diarrhoea and a range of other symptoms including fever, ulcers, anemia, lack of nutrition absorption and weight loss. It is also known as an autoimmune disease where your immune system attacks healthy cells.
It is the time where we can all work together to raise awareness of two conditions that affect 1 in 250 people. Those initially diagnosed with IBD go through a daunting time due to lack of awareness and information about the disease. They are confused and unsure about what is happening to them, fear for their future, are embarrassed to discuss with family and friends, and stressed about how the diagnosis will change their lives and put their dreams on hold. With the #Livefearless campaign, Crohn’s and Colitis Australia aim to help address these concerns by showing people that IBD doesn’t have to stop them from living their life and chasing after their dreams.
On World IBD Day (19 May) buildings all over Australia illuminated in a sea of purple in support of Crohn’s and Colits Australia. In Adelaide, Adelaide Oval, The Riverbank and Footbridge were lit up.
To find out more information visit www.crohnsandcolitis.com.au and check out iconnect on the page where you can live chat with an IBD nurse, support crew and read blogs from others living with IBD.
The writer is ambassador for Crohn’s and Colitis Australia, spreading awareness of the silent disease affecting 1 in every 250 people
Support Independent Community Journalism
Dear Reader,The Indian Sun exists for one reason: to tell stories that might otherwise go unheard.
We report on local councils, state politics, small businesses and cultural festivals. We focus on the Indian diaspora and the wider multicultural community with care, balance and accountability. We publish in print and online, send regular newsletters and produce video content. We also run media training programs to help community organisations share their own stories.
We operate independently.
Community journalism does not have the backing of large media corporations. Advertising revenue fluctuates. Platform algorithms change. Costs continue to rise. Yet the need for credible, grounded reporting in a multicultural Australia has never been greater.
When you support The Indian Sun, you support:
• Independent reporting on issues affecting migrant communities
• Coverage of local and state decisions that shape daily life
• A platform for small businesses and community groups
• Media training that builds skills within the community
• Journalism accountable to readers
We cannot cover everything, but we work to cover what matters.
If you value thoughtful reporting that reflects Australia’s diversity, we invite you to contribute. Every donation helps us maintain the quality and consistency of our work.
Please consider making a contribution today.
Thank you for your support.
The Indian Sun Team
