A million thoughts swirled around in my brain when I heard the doctor utter the words ‘Crohn’s Disease’. I thought my life would never be the same. I now had a hidden illness, one that I believed no one would understand. Initially, I missed countless days of school, took a great deal of medicine, kept my pain a secret, and even felt uncomfortable venturing out to new places. I was the same person, yet I was so different. I assumed people would treat me negatively if they knew about my illness: they would make fun of me, treat me with an overabundance of sympathy, or shy away from me. That was more than six years ago. I was eleven years old, a pre-teen unsure of herself and the world around her. As I listened to the doctor explain what my future would hold, I began to realize that I had two options: I could let this disease bring me down, or I could embrace it and become stronger from the obstacles it would present. …show more content…
I now miss less days of school, take less medicine, and venture out in ways that previously seemed impossible. I do not make excuses because of my Crohn’s Disease; I work hard to fulfill my potential. I reach for the stars in regards to my academics, leadership, and in everyday situations, even when I am not feeling well. I used to cover up my emotions with a smile, and now my smile emulates my emotions. Whenever people ask why I missed school or an important event, I tell them the truth as I am no longer fearful of concealing it. I explain that I have Crohn’s Disease: a chronic condition that affects the GI, gastrointestinal tract, by causing inflammation. This inflammation in turn causes pain, abdominal cramps, and some unpleasant situations in the bathroom. People seem to accept these facts, ask a few questions, and move