How to support someone with IBD

Caregivers play a huge role in the lives of IBD patients. So, what and who exactly is a caregiver? According to the Family Caregiver Alliance, a caregiver can be any relative, partner, friend, neighbor, or other individual who provides care to someone with a chronic condition, like Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis. 

As a caregiver myself, I understand firsthand just how important of a role caregivers play in the lives of their loved ones. Caregivers can come in the form of parents, grandparents, siblings, spouses, friends, coworkers, and more. And each person plays a major role in the lives of patients. Caregivers can provide tangible support, emotional support, and informational support to their loved ones.

Jake & Amanda

In 2017, professional baseball pitcher and ulcerative colitis patient Jake Diekman underwent three surgeries to remove his colon and create an internal j-pouch. Amanda was right by his side, as his number one nurse and supporter through his recovery:

Mikayla and her mom

For pediatric patient Mikayla, her mom Leah has been essential in helping her understand her disease and finding ways to manage her anxiety:

Caneka and her mom

Caneka has had Crohn's disease for 19 year and her mom has been by her side through every step of her journey. Her mom says that Caneka's illness has brought them closer together:

If you care about someone with IBD, we hope that these perspectives have highlighted how important support is throughout every patient's IBD journey. You can learn more about IBD support and resources available through the Crohn's & Colitis Foundation here. 

This blog post is supported, in part, by Crohn's & Colitis Awareness Week sponsorships from Bristol Myers Squibb, Pfizer, Inc., and Takeda Pharmaceuticals U.S.A., Inc.