Blue Vinyl Chair – The Journey of a New Patient

“Pick any chair you want,” our nurse said casually as she waved her hand to the blue vinyl chairs and walked toward the cabinet that held the vials of medication.

I watched her expertly insert the needle into the glass vile, extracting the clear liquid.

She knows the correct amount of medication… right? She’s been doing this for a while… Right?

I can trust her….Right? – my mind was racing.

Jonathan glanced nervously around the stark infusion room—white walls, cabinets, a sink, and five chairs lining the perimeter. Two were occupied by young kids, headphones on, eyes fixed on their screens as IV bags silently delivered medication."

We settled on the first blue vinyl chair, closest to the door.

“Great choice,” our nurse said as she carried the carefully measured medication vials to our seat. “This one’s recliner works.”

Jonathan watched as the nurse adjusted the tray, its contents hinting at the steps ahead for his first infusion. Noticing his unease, I tried to draw his focus away. When the tray locked into place, he rested his hands on it, then unexpectedly reached for mine. As a toddler, holding my hand was second nature. As a teenager, though—despite my attempts—it had long been ‘weird.’This day, I loved that he reached for my hand. I hated the reason why.

Jonathan lay back and rested his head on the vinyl pillow draped over the headrest while the nurse explained the procedure.

“Do you have any questions?” she inquired.

“When do we start?” He asked.

“We already did, " she said with a smile.

Jonathan released my hand and looked at me with regained confidence, as if he had practiced this and gave me a look that said, I’ve got this.

If you’re a parent or caregiver to someone with Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis, you know the challenges of this journey—and the incredible resilience of these kids. My son has humbled me more times than I can count. Yet, the constant question of ‘how do I fix this?’ can feel utterly paralyzing.

This led me to find the Crohn's & Colitis Foundation. The knowledge and support I’ve gained from this incredible community have been my anchor during countless challenging moments—I may not have endured without it.

The Foundation is built on unwavering dedication to finding a cure and support for those who need it.

Jonathan’s is one of many stories that fuel the determination to support the community and ensure that new patients receive the care and guidance they need. The New England Chapter’s newly diagnosed patient packet is a comprehensive resource that offers information, support groups, and ways to get involved. Taking action empowers advocacy, creating a meaningful impact for both patients and their caregivers.

Imagine if every hospital, doctor’s office, school, and organization had our packet, serving as the starting point for families beginning their health journey.

As a new family, finding a road map to guide us through this uncharted road was vital. Today, Jonathan is thriving, and I’m proud to continue working with the foundation to support others and make a lasting impact.

Let’s work together to spread the word. Send our New Patient packets to every new patient, participate in a local New England Chapter event, support others by joining the community, and/or allow us to support you.