My journey is my strength – Emma’s story
I was just 10 when my IBD symptoms began — crippling stomach pain, blood in my stool, constant bathroom trips, sleepless nights, and no energy to get out of bed, go to school or attend my dance classes.
At first, I was told it was just gastro and it would pass. But it didn’t. My mum knew something was wrong and took me to the hospital, where I was diagnosed with ulcerative colitis after one look at my stool sample.
It’s been a long journey — trying medication after medication. Vedolizumab finally brought me relief for a few years. Now at 16, it’s stopped working, and I’ve started a new chapter in a clinical trial, testing an adult treatment.
Some days are harder than others. But even on the toughest days, I choose hope.
