“If I could do anything as a Health Activist…” Think big today! Money/ time/ physical limitations are no longer an issue. What is your biggest goal that is now possible?

This is a good topic because it helps me to put out there just what I want to do as far as my activism.  My goal when I started was to help out others that were in my position, which is growing up alone.  I wanted to let people know that they aren’t alone out there with their disease.  For years, because I was alone, I kind of ignored my disease.  Now that I know there is a huge community out there, I have owned up to it.

So if the sky was the limit and I could do anything I wanted….first I would create a charity (which I am slowly working to do).  The main purpose of the charity would not be to find a cure.  It wouldn’t be to unite people with IBD.  There are so many other charities that do these things.  My goal is education.  I want to help bring information about IBD to both patients and the general public.  I don’t want to say too much about my dreams as I am trying to make all this happen.

Right now, when someone gets diagnosed, the doctor briefly explains what the patient has and then leaves.  He might have some handouts that will also briefly describe the condition.  After that, the patient is on their own to do the research and seek out help.  That is where I would come in.  I want to have a way where that person can turn to the charity and have all the info they want right at their fingertips.  The info wouldn’t just be of the informative nature.  The charity would also help him connect with others both online and in real life with other IBDers.  It will help them find doctors in their area.  Basically it will be the go to be all for IBD.

Now, I know I can dream big.  Reality is so much harder.   I have been going at this alone and it isn’t easy.  So I am going to use this post as a call.   If you are reading this, and you want to get involved and be part of this great movement, let me know.  The more help I can get, the faster this dream can be a reality.