[ad_1]
Hannah Witton, 28, could easily forgive if she chose to avoid any publicity about ulcerative colitis, considering what the disease caused to her body.
Three years ago, the London-based blogger and YouTube author had a procedure to be equipped with an ostomy bag, an attachment that connects to her abdomen, collects all digestive waste from her body and must be emptied regularly.
This was necessary because Hannah's condition had damaged her system to such an extent that she had to undergo surgery that prevented her from using the restroom in the way that most of us take for granted .
But she proudly exhibited her ostomy bag as part of a major new campaign that challenges public perception of people with ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease – permanent conditions that can cause diarrhea, stomach cramps , fatigue, weight loss and anemia.
Hannah Witton, 28, proudly displayed her ostomy bag as part of a major new campaign that challenges public perception of people with ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease.
The campaign, organized by the charity Crohn's & Colitis UK, is called Not Every Disability is Visible and aims to educate the masses about why people with Alzheimer's disease often need immediate access to toilets reserved for "disabled" people.
As a result, some people who suffer from violence and intimidation when they use devices for the disabled in case of emergency, from passers-by wondering if they are really disabled.
A survey conducted by the charity revealed that 60% of people with Crohn's disease and colitis had been victims of verbal or even physical abuse. The charity wants all disabled toilets to be renamed "accessible washrooms" to reflect the fact that not all users have obvious evils.
Over 80% of victims said they would feel more comfortable with "accessible" toilets.
These panels have already been installed in nearly 3,000 stores and supermarkets and in 15 travel centers, including railway stations.
Hannah and three other people volunteered to take part in a poster campaign illustrating just how nasty the victims of Crohn's disease and colitis seem to be in perfect health.
The top half of Hannah's image represents her waving her arms, while a broad smile illuminates her face. But the bottom half clearly shows the ostomy bag that she has to wear 24 hours a day to deal with a task that most of us hardly think about.
An ostomy bag collects feces or urine in a bag on the outside of the body. Ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease are permanent conditions that can cause diarrhea, stomach cramps, fatigue, weight loss and anemia.
Hannah explains that changing the bag in public toilets is a constant battle, while many sites are dimly lit in bathrooms. She said, "One time, I had to deal with just my phone lamp, holding it in my mouth."
Ben MacFarlane, another 39-year-old volunteer who regularly attends the gym, watches with extreme physical fitness but has been suffering from Crohn's disease for 20 years.
His image shows him pumping iron in one half of his image, but unable to leave the toilet on the other – an indication of his uncontrollable stool. "My son sees me as a big, strong man in the gym, not someone in the toilets who is crying in pain," Ben says.
Sarah Sleet, CEO of Crohn's and Colitis UK, said, "We know that if the public better understands the devastating symptoms of these conditions, they would be more caring and more supportive of people who are ashamed or embarrassed."
In the UK, about 146,000 people have ulcerative colitis, where the lining of the colon becomes inflamed and ulcerated. Another 115,000 people suffer from Crohn's disease.
Follow this five-step process, focused on throwing and catching, to strengthen the shoulders
Try this: Throw and catch, for stronger shoulders
By Mariam Al-Roubi
Of all the bones and joints in the body, the shoulders – because of their surprisingly delicate structure – are the most exposed to injury. Fortunately, it is easy to protect the seal against bullets with a simple launch-and-capture exercise done every other day.
1. Stand facing a wall, close to him.
2 Using one hand, hold a light medicine ball or tennis ball over your head, keeping your elbows flexible and shoulders extended.
3 Start throwing it against the wall and catching it. Do this for a minute.
4 Lower your arm by your side so that your hand is aligned with your shoulder while throwing and catching one more minute.
5 Raise your arms to the starting position and continue for another minute. Repeat with the other arm.
[ad_2]
Source link