My journey with Crohn's Disease began in the fall of my freshman year at Brown University, in the midst of my first collegiate field hockey season. What started with unpredictable stomach pains and a painful inflammatory condition called erythema nodosum, quickly evolved into a daily struggle. After months of testing and numerous rounds of steroids to reduce my inflammation levels, I was finally diagnosed with Crohn's Disease, marking the start of my path toward remission. Initially, the diagnosis left me disheartened, especially when one of my doctors recommended that I quit playing field hockey.
Unwilling to accept this, I sought a second opinion. I consulted more medical experts and learned that continuing my field hockey career was possible, though it would be challenging and would require some drastic lifestyle changes. While I eventually found my stride, the road from diagnosis through the completion of my college field hockey career to the finish line of a marathon was anything but direct. Although there were setbacks and flares that disrupted my progress, each one taught me about resilience and about what my body could handle. In a sense, I didn’t just learn how to live with Crohn's; I learned how to thrive in spite of it.
Though there are still difficult days and weeks, I have made incredible progress from where I began. Running in the NYC TCS Marathon is more than a personal achievement; it is a victory over adversity, a celebration of hope, and an expression of gratitude to my doctors, family, and friends for all their support.
By running with Team IBDKids, I aim to raise awareness and funds for children living with Inflammatory Bowel Disease, hoping to inspire others and support initiatives that enhance their quality of life.
I am grateful for your support and look forward to crossing the finish line on November 3rd not just for myself, but for everyone impacted by IBD. Let's make a lasting impact together! Thank you for joining me on this journey.