A WOMAN wants to "break the stigma" of speaking out about her disease and colitis.
Natasha Critchley, from Sutton, was diagnosed with Crohn's disease at the age of 13.
The 22-year-old has been a volunteer for Crohn's and Colitis UK for around a year and is backing its new campaign It Takes Guts to raise awareness of the conditions.
Former student of The Sutton Academy, Natasha, said: "Many people who have Crohn's and colitis suffer in silence. I would like to break the silence and the stigma around the diseases.
"As a child and even an adult, it isn't a condition that is spoken about much because it involves talking about bowels and toilets.
"When I was at school I did not tell anyone there that I had the condition, only those close to me that needed to know.
"I think it should be spoken about to raise awareness."
Natasha with a friend's baby not long after she was diagnosed with Crohn's disease
Natasha at the age of 13
Natasha also wants to clear up misconceptions about Crohn's.
"When I've told people I have Crohn's I've seen them move back because they think it is contagious," Natasha said.
"Some also think that because it is an invisible illness that you look well but you are not.
"IBD is often confused with IBS as well.
"IBS mainly affects the intestines, but IBD, which is what I and other people with Crohn's and colitis have, affects the whole digestive system.
"It leads to infections and ulceration attacks and causes extreme fatigue and uncontrollable weight loss."
Natasha had a colostomy in November and is feeling better after the procedure.
She said: "The operation has helped a lot and has improved my quality of life.
"I have been able to go out and enjoy myself."
Natasha also believes people with colostomy bags should not be ashamed to hide them because it shows they are "warriors" for coping with their disease.
She meets up with sufferers of Crohn's disease and colitis for social events in Merseyside.
Members of the Crohn's and Colitis UK Mersey group
For more information about the Crohn's and Colitis UK Mersey group click here via Facebook.
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