Gut of the Month - June 2008
Kaella Carr
Chair, Youth Advisory Council
I was diagnosed with Crohn’s disease in 2004. Doctors took about 6 months to find out what was wrong with me. I lost about 50 pounds and no one could understand what was wrong with me. It felt great to finally be told I had Inflammatory Bowel Disease. It runs in my family, so I was fairly familiar with what it was. But, I had no idea what lay ahead. I have since undergone two surgeries; had four feet of my small bowel removed and half my bladder. I also have osteopenia, which means my bones are weakening. Luckily medication and a healthy diet and lifestyle have helped me feel better most of the time!
I am blessed to be a part of the CCFC. I have met some truly amazing people and made many lifelong friendships. Rather than sit back, I chose to get involved and help find a cure. I hope you are here because you want to do the same.
I am a very active volunteer and there are lots of opportunities, big and small, for anyone.
I serve as the Public Relations Coordinator for the Lethbridge Chapter and I have helped organize and attended every M&M Charity BBQ, Heel 'n' Wheel-a-thon and Fall Fundraiser for the past four years.
This summer I will be volunteering at the Painted Turtle; a summer camp in California that serves children with Chronic Diseases. The week I am attending, is for those with Crohn’s and Colitis. I hope I can share my experiences with them, and learn from them how they deal with the disease on a daily basis. Everyone and every case is different.
Being diagnosed with Crohn’s Disease has changed my life. But it hasn’t changed me.
