"I CAN"

Living with Crohn's comes with the automatic use of the phrase, "you can't have..." as the doctor further elaborates another limitation put on your life. Crohn's disease is a life sentence but its up to the individual as to how they complete their life sentence with this set back. Will you wallow and put on a sad face every time you are faced with a problem or will you stare the problem right in the eyes and defeat it? That's up to you to decide. When you take into account all the limitations put on individuals with Crohn's, do you ever think about the limitless possibilities as well? In times where you have flare ups and feel as if the pain will never end, you struggle to see the "light at the end of the tunnel" as cliche as it may sound. As I always share my story, this one shows you what that light at the end of the tunnel could be when you tell yourself "I can."

At the beginning of my diagnosis, I felt alone to the point where I felt as though no one understood what I was going through. Hospitalizations on top of hospitalizations led to restless nights wondering when the pain would end. It wasn't until I met my Child Life Specialist that I felt heard. The tiresome hospitalizations soon led to feeling like I was at home for my Child Life Specialist would come into my room and play games with me throughout the day. She tried to get me up and moving out of my room as well as help me meet other kids on the pediatric floor. I had this amazing individual with me the entire step of the way as she guided me through countless MRI preps and the breakdown I had when I heard I couldn't have solid food anymore. Looking back on these experiences not only showed me how it shaped me as an individual, but it motivated me to give back. I never wanted to be that kid again who couldn't move because of the pain or be told what I can or can't eat, so I took charge of my life. From this moment forward, I decided I was going to be a Child Life Specialist and help those kids see the light at the end of the tunnel. I started working with kids more and more, sharing and advocating my success story, and eventually maintaining 5 jobs at once all while going to school. It wasn't easy by any means, but I showed everyone that I CAN do anything I put my mind to. It wasn't until today that all that hard work and networking paid off for I was told that I would be able to work with her as a volunteer. While I am not certified as a Child Life Specialist YET, I was just given the first step to my ladder of success.

Time and time again, individuals with Crohn's are faced with what they can't do and that diminishes a persons self-esteem as well as their self-image. Push yourself to complete those goals and let those past experiences motivate you. As Kobe Bryant said, "Everything negative-pressure, challenges-is an opportunity for me to rise." When you rise above expectations, you soar to new heights.