A little kindness goes a long way.

Living with a chronic illness, you never know what the next day will bring. Maintaining your health is not as simple as eating clean and exercising. We can do everything right and still feel like crap. It's frustrating, emotionally draining, and adds weight to your shoulders. The physical pain and emotional weight become heavy over time. You feel like a burden and would rather suffer in silence than ask for help. You don't want to appear weak, but this illness is eating away at you every day.

Then something happens.

A stranger compliments your outfit. An old friend reaches out to see how you're doing. Someone shares a resource that helps you. That little act of kindness sparked something inside that you haven't felt in a while – joy, appreciation, love, and compassion. It's easy to take these moments for granted, but they're often the ones that mean the most to someone having a down day.

You never know what someone else is going through in their personal lives and how a small sentiment can make such a big impact.

We share because IBD has forever changed our lives.

Irritable bowel disease (IBD) is rising and estimated to affect 2% of Americans. It seems like a small percentage but that's about 6,648,072 lives! These cases can be debilitating, which is why we are speaking up for those still silent to spread awareness and offer support.

Additionally, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) affects 10 – 15% of Americans as most food is processed, fried, and loaded with excessive sugars, which all attack and weaken the gut microbiome. Chances are you may experience this yourself or know someone in your circle who does!

Nobody wants or deserves to go through the pain and suffering of these conditions. However, I've developed a profound purpose that drives me every day because of my situation. I have a moral obligation to set aside my own insecurities in hopes of helping one person transform or even just ease the pain in their life, knowing that it will have a ripple effect on those closest to them and so on. You often don't see and can't measure the impact but you know it's there just like gravity. Having that belief is the fuel to my inner fire.

Dan's season of change.

In 2015, I was diagnosed with Ulcerative Colitis, just weeks before starting my senior year of high school. I quickly became homebound for the entire year as my illness progressed and I had the first of two major surgeries that removed my entire colon four days after graduation in June. Three months later, I had a second surgery and had complications that put me on a liquid diet until the end of December.

My life has never been the same since.

There were many days and moments where it felt impossible to maintain a positive mindset, let alone a neutral one, when you're health is on a downward spiral that you have no control over. You find some comfort in thinking that things can't get worse from here. Then, the next day another thing happens and piles more weight inside. You feel as if you're about to explode from the pressure of pain and frustration. Negative thoughts creep inside and you wonder if things will ever get better.

But then I asked myself, "what if this is the best it gets?"

I let the chills run down my spine, then said, "f*ck that! I'm taking control of my health and life!"

The ugly truth.

We're told how Crohn's and Colitis are not curable, while there are only three options for medical treatment. First, there are oral steroid pills intended to decrease inflammation along the intestinal wall. Next, IV infusions that deliver medicine directly through the bloodstream for a more potent effect than oral medication. If neither option works, you're stuck with life altering surgeries.

All three western medicine solutions ignore the root problem of a bacterial imbalance inside the gut. Instead, these medicines aim to treat the symptom of inflammation without understanding why excessive levels of inflammation are occurring in the first place. Regardless if either treatment provides relief, the disease never leaves the body and lingers until a new flare up occurs from stress or other unexpected, unknown environmental factors. The healthcare system is designed to patch you up and keep you returning rather than focus on prevention because that would be bad for business. Knowing what I know now, I truly believe that I could have reversed or mitigated my condition through diet and holistic practices to avoid significant surgeries that every doctor pushed on me as a 17 year old who knew nothing except being in excruciating pain every day and would do almost anything to get some relief. I was desperate and didn't have anywhere else to go at the time.

Does it still suck? Yeah!

But will I keep a victim mindset and stay upset with my life? Hell no!

There is HOPE!

With patience and persistence, you will find nutrient dense foods that agree with you, a good balance of physical activity, and self care routines. You can live a happy and healthy life after diagnosis! Not only does the body need time to heal but also the mind. Forgive yourself and your body, stay close to the ones who support you, and eliminate any toxic negativity to reduce unnecessary stress.

Reflect on the experiences that shaped you into who you are today. How did they reroute your path for the better? Now, look at life from a new view by learning from your trials and tribulations. Have faith that life is happening for you, not to you. Doing so will sprout the roots for new growth and opportunity!

Experiences + Mindset = Growth

Stay strong. Be positive. Inspire kindness.

Contact us if you suffer from IBD, IBS, or any chronic condition for guidance and resources to improve your quality of life!

And don't forget to grab an Inspire Kindness Shirt for yourself and a friend! All proceeds are donated to The Crohn's and Colitis Foundation to spread awareness and help those in need.