IBD stories
We will publish stories of our supporters regularly to remind ourselves and everyone who sympathizes with our foundation why we exist. Please find below our first story, the story of Marie-Liz from Cyprus.
My name is Marie-Liz and I am a mother of two children, a daughter and a son aged 20 and 15 respectively. I've lived a quite normal life for some years working and raising my kids along with my husband.
The first clouds appeared when my son started expressing some strange at the time symptoms, at the age of six. The symptoms tended to appear more often so we went on for further investigation. That is when the doctors diagnosed he had Crohn's disease.
I can't express how I actually felt when I was told about it. It felt like the ground moved out of my feet, or even worse. I had never heard about this disease before at the time, even though I had heard about Ulcerative Colitis. After the first shock and asking questions like "why such a small kid had to suffer" etc, I went on learning more about these chronic illnesses, wanting to be able to offer my son the best I could. I also became a member in my country's Crohn's and Colitis Association, offering my services to other people who are suffering. Although raising money, supporting others, organizing events etc, can be very helpful, as a parent I felt I should do more. My kid, as well as the rest of the patients, was in need for a CURE and not just our sympathy and support.
I was aware that several researches were held by pharmaceutical companies and other organizations and I am thankful about that. Taking though in consideration that the IBD diseases are not deathly, I believe researchers don't give all their effort in finding a cure, as they have to fight against other deathly illnesses.
The IBD research foundation was founded by the EU patients and funding decisions are made both by doctors and patients. In my opinion, the IBD research foundation being controlled by patients is aiming on finding a cure.
As a parent I feel it is my duty to provide a better future for my child. This is the reason that drove me to donate to IBD research foundation, and I call all the parents of children and teenagers suffering from these diseases, to follow my example and help in any possible way for finding a CURE. They all have the right to live a normal life.