For most teenagers, life is measured in school days, sports, and time with friends. For Jonathan Viliott, it has also been measured in doctor’s visits, uncertainty, and a diagnosis that changed everything.
Alexandra “Lexi” Concannon was first diagnosed with ulcerative colitis in 2017 during a visit to Boston University School of Law, where she would later graduate in 2020. What began as a sudden and unexpected diagnosis soon became a defining part of her life.
Most people do not think about what they need until it is urgent. At eleven, living in constant pain, I needed a diagnosis. My doctor suspected Crohn’s disease, and the only way to confirm it was through a capsule endoscopy of my digestive tract.
This new Nurses Guide, designed to support school nurses in caring for students living with Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD). It offers accessible, practical tools and easy-to-reference information on topics like recognizing and managing flare-ups, supporting medication routines, nutrition considerations, and the importance of individualized health plans, such as 504 plans.
