Ambria Ingram
Determination, motivation, perseverance, optimism and resilience are the characteristics of the survivors I witness every year who suffer from Crohn’s disease and Ulcerative Colitis. Crohn’s disease and Ulcerative Colitis are chronic inflammatory bowel diseases that causes inflammation in the digestive tract.
My mother was diagnosed with Ulcerative Colitis in 2010. After her diagnoses, she, my family and I got involved in the Crohn's and Colitis Foundation (CCFA) which focuses on raising awareness and money for Crohn’s and Colitis. My family made donations towards the foundation to find a cure for the diseases. My sister, cousin, family members and I were happy to join the foundation through philanthropy because it’s a great non-profit organization.
My sister, cousin and I set up booths at the schools to raise awareness for the cause and to educate others about Crohn’s and Colitis. Many people never heard of the diseases. We helped so many people understand the diseases, and how it affects an individual on an everyday basis. We also informed people about the Take Steps for Crohn’s and Colitis Walk which is an annual fundraiser walk that raises money for a cure to the inflammatory bowel diseases. In addition, we solicited volunteers to assist in the Crohn’s and Colitis walk as well as raised money to find a cure for the inflammatory bowel diseases at our schools.
I’ve been involved with the Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation for several years. I help raised money for the foundation as well as encouraged people to be volunteers for the fundraiser walk. I was featured as a guest speaker at a Global Youth Service Meeting to speak to students about the Foundation. I volunteer annually at the Richmond Takes Steps Walk for Crohn’s and Colitis. I assist kids in the moon bounce as well as cheer the walkers on at the finished line. My cousin, sister and I held encouraging posters to make runners race to the finish line. The walk is always successful every year. The fundraiser walk is a way for the community to come together. The fundraiser walk is also a way to learn and support family and friends who go through such horrible inflammatory diseases.
Every year, I enjoy being a volunteer and walking at the event. For me, the most powerful part of the Crohn’s and Colitis walk was hearing stories from courageous survivors. During the event, everyone involved in the walk got the chance to hear stories that are heartbreaking. Every volunteer, supporter, family member and friend at the walk got a chance to hear how many times the survivor with Crohn’s and Colitis has been hospitalized in just one year. Survivors explain how they felt like prisoners in their own house because they were going to the bathroom so many times in one day. Some survivors who are currently dealing with Crohn’s disease and Ulcerative Colitis are in college, high school and even middle school. The students explain about how they had to leave school for longer periods of time because they were too sick to do anything.
Determination, motivation, perseverance, optimism and resilience are the characteristics and traits that describe the survivors of the people affected with Crohn’s disease and Ulcerative Colitis. I’m always inspired by the survivors’ resilience. Many Crohn’s and Colitis survivors have been in and out the hospital many times. Many of them have received multiple surgeries in one year. Nevertheless, they are resilient to bounce back into their daily schedule. One teenager in high school expressed in her speech how difficult the disease is on her. However, she continues to push through, and that’s a great example of perseverance. I’m amazed at the determination Crohn’s and Colitis disease can sometimes rob survivors of a normal life. However, the survivors are motivated to help others and are determined to not let the disease win
The survivors are going through a rough time with a smile on their face. My experiences working with CCFA has helped me to remind myself to have perseverance no matter what. Life can be rough sometimes, but it’s important to continue to push through the obstacles and to never give up. The lesson CCFA has taught me is to remind myself how blessed I am and I count my blessing daily. I benefit from the Foundation because it keeps me humble. CCFA has also taught me to keep continuing to educate others about the disease. Currently, CCFA is raising money for a cure. I continue to do community service for the non-profit organization.
• To learn more go to http://www.crohnscolitisfoundation.org/ and go to http://online.ccfa.org/site/PageNavigator/take_steps_for_crohns_and_colitis