I've had to give up a lot.

I like to see myself as a positive person, remaining positive no matter what life throws at me. I have my down days, but this is natural for EVERYONE.

At nearly 26 years old my life suddenly took a turn when I was told I wasn't allowed to live on my own; nor even be on my own for any amount of time.

I moved back into my parents house. I was to never to leave the house on my own. No shopping, going to clubs, going to pubs or anything else that a "normal" 26 year old would do in life. This included working - which doctors stated would be "detrimental to my health". I was not allowed to drive any more. I had to rely on mum for everything; going out of the house became a very rare occurrence due to the need to be supervised constantly and having no friends to take me out; or rather only a few friends who took me out on what seemed like rare occurrences. My social life pretty much went along with my independence. Having mum bath me, become my taxi, my chef and constant supervisor was to become my norm from this point on. This is also when my relationship broke down and I have been single ever since as I have no ability to meet anyone new when I can't even leave the house without my mum by my side!

Yet, having everything snatched away from me in my life - I remained positive and continued to stay strong. I thought that I would become depressed from it all... but I didn't, instead I found myself growing with new ideas and concept and facing a whole new life where I had to adapt, grow and learn which actually made me see things in a totally different light.

My life has changed a great deal, I used to do many sports such as sailing, I used to work. I used to drive my car for miles on end, live on my own and have what seemed like a normal life.

Having everything taken away from me, has not made me negative in any way, instead it has made me focus more on the things in life which I can STILL do. I don't look at what I can't do any more, but rather what I can still manage... that is what keeps me going. Making jewellery, stained glass, cards, keyrings and much more. I sell my keyrings, cards and jewellery with 100% going towards the Crohns and Colitis charity - the materials are my own donation.

These are the teddy bear keyrings which I make.

I know I'll always have my illnesses, and I know that they'll always effect me to some degree; even when managed by medication. However, I'm not going to let it get me down. I'm a fighter., I will remain strong. I will never let anything thrown at me drag me down!

When people have everything in life that I so badly want/miss and they can't see the positive side of life, I wonder what they would be like if they had it all taken away from them? I couldn't wish this sort of life  upon anyone!

Fight on fellow crohnies and collies! We are strong and very good fighters.