My Support System

 

Do you have a good IBD support system?  We discuss what my IBD support system looks like. Who is apart of my support system, and how they are supportive of my healing journey.

 

If you are interested in building a support system for your own IBD healing journey. Start here, we discuss:

 

• How my core support team works

 

• Alternative medical practitioners and personal coaches

 

• Second-tier support: my friends, coworkers, and online figures
•  

My core support team includes my partner Ron, and my mom. They are my go to support system when I am feeling lost, or down. They have been with me through all the ups and downs of my disease. They are the only ones who understand everything that I have been through.

My Core Support System

 

My Partner

Ron and I have been together since 2015. Since before I was diagnosed with IBD. He is without a doubt, my biggest supporter. In fact, without Ron. I don’t know whether or not I would have ever made any dietary or lifestyle changes.

 

When I was diagnosed in 2017. I was given bad advice by my doctor. I was told that diet does not make a difference with IBD. And I held onto that information for years. I so wanted it to be true, even though deep down I knew that it wasn’t possible.

 

For four years Ron bugged me to change my diet. He could see that certain foods were aggravating my symptoms. We would fight about it. I would tell him, “Don’t tell me what to do. I am fine. Diet doesn’t make a difference to IBD.”

 

When I finally came around to how my diet was harming my body. I apologized to Ron. And admitted that for years, he has been right. Diet is the key to healing.

 

Since I have cleaned up my diet and started the healing process. And Ron has been my biggest supporter.

He cooks me healthy meals when I have been too weak to do it myself.  And he eats pretty much the same things that I eat. Even when I was eating blended soup for weeks on end. He was there eating blended soup with me.

 

Most importantly he keeps me in line. Although I now have the willpower and determination to stay on track. That was not always the case.

 

Ron has never been afraid to say something to me when I would eat something that I know I shouldn’t. He was never too pushy. But he was consistent over the years.

 

Ron realized that I need to make the changes on my own terms. But he has always been there to point out the changes that I need to make.

 

He is also my voice of reason. I think that it is always easier to point out necessary changes in someone else. Then it is to see changes the you need to make yourself.

 

Whenever I am unsure about what to do, or how to manage IBD. Ron is my sounding board. He can see what I should do. And in every situation, two heads are better than one.

 

My Mom

From halfway across the world, my mom has always been a huge part of my support system. I know that she only wants the best for me in all situations. She is the first person that I call with any updates, no matter how small.

 

It has been difficult for her to watch me suffer so much over the past 10 years. She knows that I want to heal my IBD as naturally as possible. It has been a journey that we have been learning about together.

 

I know that at the beginning of my disease story. My mom wanted me to take medications to manage the disease.

 

Now that we are both educated on how effective those medications are. And the terrifying long-term side effects they create. She is so supportive of my natural, healing journey.

 

My mom has supported me in so many ways.  From always having the time to talk things through with me.  To helping me out financially when I did the seven-week elemental diet.  And she eats the same food as me when she comes to visit. (She’s a healthy eater anyways).

 

Alternative Medicine Practitioners

 

There are so many types of medical practitioners out there. Naturopaths, acupuncturists, Chinese medicine doctors, energy healers, and coaches.

 

If you are not able to find support from your family, or friends. I would recommend finding an alternative medicine practitioner who will support your journey. Not only someone who supports you. But some who also understands and contributes to your healing.

 

These people can provide a wealth of knowledge and insight into your healing journey. But the biggest benefit that I have found. Is that you often have someone who listens and supports your decisions.  Someone on your side.

 

They can help you find herbal remedies that may assist your healing. They can remove energy blocks. They can create meal plans, and create accountability.

 

A nutritional counselor or coach can be a great asset. They can help you one-on-one, and tailor a program to meet your individual needs. They can also provide accountability in your life. If you do not have an at-home support system, this can be a great help.

 

If you are starting out on your natural healing journey. Accountability is key. Someone who will track your progress, and keep you in line. Someone who can help keep the momentum going long-term that is needed to heal.

 

Second-Tier Support System

Not only do I have a core support system, but I also have a second-tier support system. This includes my friends and coworkers. And also support that I have found online.

The main way that I have created this second-tier support system is by being open about my disease. Almost everyone that I know well, knows that I have IBD. I am open about having the disease, and not embarrassed by it.

 

My good friends always celebrate my wins with me. And mourn my failures. They are so sympathetic when I am unwell. I know that they want the best for me.

 

When we are going out for dinner, they enquire about my dietary requirements. When I am invited over for dinner, they try to accommodate me as best as they can.

 

My coworkers are also a part of my support team. I work on a sailing yacht, with 5 other crew members. They have been with me for many of the ups and downs of my IBD journey.

I have a good rapport with all my coworkers. Although I always try my best at work. It has not always been possible for me to work at 100% capacity.

 

They know about my situation. And help and support me where ever possible. They have picked up my slack. Which often means lifting heavy things for me.

 

I have also found some support online. Jini Patel, and Meghan Telpner, have both healed from severe Crohn’s disease. Their online presence has taught me a lot about how to live a healthy lifestyle. It has educated, and inspired me.

 

I am also a part of many IBD support groups on Facebook. Although I do not enjoy all the content posted here. Some of it is very helpful.

Testimonies for how IBD-AID diet has helped put people in remission. Certain herbal remedies that have worked well. Learning the benefits of a healthy sleep cycle for IBD.

 

There is a lot to learn from other people who have IBD.

 

And there is definitely a benefit to feeling that you are not alone on your own IBD journey.

 

That is part of the reason why I have created this website. To share my knowledge, and learn together about how to heal IBD as naturally as possible.

 

As you can see my support system contains a wide variety of people, and resources. I have learnt so much from each of these people. And their support has helped me get to where I am today.

If you find that you are lacking a strong support system. I believe you should take active steps in finding ‘your people’. Join groups of like-minded individuals. Join a healthy cooking, or yoga class. Look online. Use alternative medical practitioners for support.

 

Remember that you are always your own biggest supporter. But having other people along for the journey makes it more fun and sustainable.