Everybody's talking...

I already know I'm going to enjoy writing this post, why? Because unlike my last post this one is on the positive side and looking forward to the future.

'Everyone's talking'

I was super lucky to have started my humble blog 'Colitis and ME' back in December of last year (2013). Little did I know then what was to come. Through GooglePlus I met a wonderful man called Frank, founder of 'The Crohn's Colitis Effect' who's sweet young boy suffers with IBD. Frank I think was the first person to mention words similar to "2014 is going to be our year".
Well Frank how right you were!!

Already we are in March of 2014 and I'll be the first to admit that the time has flown by. I am so thrilled with the amount of awareness, coverage and debate going on this year with regards to Crohn's Disease and Ulcerative Colitis. We must of course take the time to thank those who were there before us, working tirelessly on making these illnesses a 'house hold name' (again, a lovely quote by Frank). I happen to have jumped on the band waggon at just the right time. How is that for time keeping ;) HA! Trust me if you knew me personally you will know I am THE WORST time keeper - at least now I just blame it on my Ulcerative Colitis.

So far this year in the UK alone there have been sports stars who have spoken out about their battles with IBD. We have had a TV personality speak out about her new diagnosis and rumoured to be partaking in a documentary/show discussing her personal journey with Crohn's Disease. There is at present a father rowing the Atlantic to raise vital funds for the charity, they have raised over 100 thousand pounds which is a fantastic feat! Alongside this there are charity balls, marathons and fundraisers all planned for the near future.

All of this is going on in the UK, with similar actions being taken across the whole world. From America to Canada and further afield, everyone is talking.

Aside from these incredible people who go far out of their way on our behalf, there is also YOU. Yes YOU, my wonderful blog IBD'ers and readers. You have all been doing your bit to ensure both Crohns Disease and Ulcerative Colitis are talked about. Some who have visited this blog might not have known about or known very little about these chronic life long illnesses. Now hopefully you know a little more about it. Hopefully you will have found the courage and strength to speak out about your IBD and how it effects you. Maybe you have found comfort and support which is the first step to feeling comfortable with your illness.

Whoever you are and no matter how big or little of a dent you are making on this long long road to making Crohn's Disease and Ulcerative Colitis house hold names I would like to thank you! For people are depending on you. For future generations not to suffer, for those who have suffered for so long already to find peace, for the world to one day be rid of IBD. You are all playing your part.

From the bottom of my heart I want to say THANK YOU!! Thank you for reading my blog, for all you do for IBD, for fighting such a horrible illness and not giving up, for educating yourself on IBD, thank you.

We have a long way to go until we reach the end of 2014, let's be able to say that 2014 was the year we all stood together, strong and united and can be able to say ...

"2014 was the year we all discussed Crohn's Disease and Ulcerative Colitis"