Inflammatory bowel disease should never be misconstrued for someone having an eating disorder. We eat what our bodies can handle and we eat as much as we can. Never be quick to be overcritical of our eating habits because to you they may be unusual, but to us, they are our safe foods. We do not need a lecture on how to eat healthy or what we should be eating instead, but rather we don’t your input unless we ask for it. If one were to read up on inflammatory bowel disease, you would see we have to worry about several trigger foods. These foods oftentimes bring on our symptoms and are difficult for us to digest. There is a difference between telling us what to eat and asking us what we can eat. Learn about the inflammatory bowel disease first before you decide to sit there and dictate what foods we should be eating to work towards living a healthier lifestyle. We cannot eat whatever we want and we, as the patients, are very aware of the kinds of foods that our bodies can no longer tolerate.
This is something I wish I could share with certain people. It’s hard not to come across as defensive or ungrateful when telling someone that you know better than them what your body can handle.
It’s been three weeks since I finished my last course of prednisolone and two and a half weeks since I started showing symptoms again. I’ve been flaring fully for about a week and a half now and it doesn’t look like it’s going away on its own. The problem is, I’m starting to become used to it so my control over my diet is slipping which means I’ve been allowing myself to have things I know I really shouldn’t. It hasn’t made me any worse (yet), but I know it’s not going to help me feel any better. I don’t know if it’s worth me call the helpline again because they might just say what they did last time which was that they can’t do anything else until I get worse.
I feel a bit stuck in IBD limbo at the moment, and unsure of what to do. I suppose the best thing for me is to take control of my diet again and be stricter with myself. Make sure I stick to my safe foods, like soup and tea, and try to rest as much as I can, even if I am working.
Today I’m talking about IBD awareness because National Crohn’s & Colitis awareness week starts today! National Crohn’s & Colitis awareness week was passed by the US Senate in November 2011 making December 1st through the 7th a week to raise IBD awareness and recognize the efforts of those who care for and support patients living with Inflammatory bowel disease.
This is the 5th National Crohn’s & Colitis Awareness week. Whoo-dee-whooooo!
Some subtly ableist but common phrases you should avoid.
“Get better soon!”
Should be, “I hope you feel better soon, or your symptoms decrease!”
“I’m normal/healthy.”
Should be, “I am able-bodied.”
“You’re differently abled/unhealthy/not normal.”
Should be, “You’re disabled.”
“You’d feel better if you tried yoga/prayer/whatever.”
Should be, “What treatments have you tried?”
“Oh my god! What happened to you?”
Should be, “How are you doing? May I ask, why you are using mobility device/brace/cast?”
“I have headaches so I completely understand your chronic migraines.”
Should be, “I cannot understand your illness, since the worst I have ever suffered is headaches. Let me know if there is anything I can do to better understand you.”
“You should get out more.”
Should be, “May I come over sometime to share a meal with you or relax?.”
“It must be so nice not to have to work/go to school.”
Should be, “It must be difficult to not be able to have an income or continue your education. Let me know if there is any way I can help you pursue your dreams.”
“It’s so tragic that [insert media character] is disabled.”
Should be, “I’m glad to see the media is portraying a character that represents 70% of the population.”
“I would just die if I had your condition!”
Should be, “I don’t understand how you cope with your condition. Can you explain to me how you’ve accepted your disability?”
“I’ve been praying that God will heal you!”
Should be, “Would you like me to pray for your healing?”
“I wish I could take my dog everywhere with me!”
Should be, “I’m glad that you have the resources to use such a multipurpose mobility aid such as a Service Dog.”
[First thing you say to the person] “I have been praying for you! God has your health in his mind!”
Should be, “How are you? Do you need any encouragement?”
“You are such an inspiration because you are disabled and coping with it!”
Should be, any other compliment not having to do with their ability to cope with a disability.
“I’m going to push your wheelchair now.”
Should be, “Do you want me to push you now?”
“But you don’t LOOK sick!”
Should be, “All disabilities are different, do you consider yours to be an invisible illness? How does it affect you?”
“Hey, at least it’s not Cancer.”
Should be, “It must be difficult to accept such a lifelong diagnosis. Is there any way I can help you?”
Add more subtly ableist phrases or alternatives! Show people how to communicate with us without it being so awkward!
Just because you can’t see it, doesn’t mean it’s not there #invisibleillness #chronicillness #autoimmune #livewell #bekind #arthritis #fibromyalgia #scoliosis #lupus #crohns #uc #migraines #ms #mediswarm #spoonie #sick
What Can I Eat 