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“Looking at the bigger picture is vital” – Katie’s story
On Saturday, November 30, Katie will be taking on a 50k trail run on the Surf Coast.
You can learn more and support her here.
Initially, I was set to run the Surf Coast Century, a run that takes place along the beautiful Surf Coast in my hometown of Anglesea
However, I wasn’t fully recovered from a calf injury, so I had to pull back from that challenge. While it was a bit disheartening and demotivating, I decided to keep my focus by setting a personal goal: to run my own 50k. I chose to hold myself accountable by raising funds for a cause that’s close to my heart— Crohn’s and Colitis Australia.
As a Crohn’s sufferer, it felt fitting to raise funds for the Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation. I chose to run the Surf Coast Walk as my trail. This stunning route winds through my hometown, beginning at Point Impossible and ending at Fairhaven. To make up the full 50k distance, I’ll be looping back to add an extra 6k to the 44k trail. I’ve been training along the Surf Coast trails, and living in such a beautiful place makes it easier to get outside and run. I’m hoping to complete the entire trail in 6 to 6.5 hours.
With this fundraiser, I’ve come out to friends and colleagues with the fact that I have Crohn’s Disease.
I was unwell for years before being diagnosed with Crohn’s at age 16, after countless visits to doctors and specialists. I was misdiagnosed with other conditions, including bulimia, due to my severe weight loss and daily vomiting. It wasn’t until I was hospitalized that the real issue was discovered. I remember feeling a sense of relief when I was finally diagnosed because, for so long, I had questioned whether something was truly wrong with me. For a long time, I didn’t want to talk about it. My approach was simple: give me the medication I need and let me get on with my life.
At 18, after a flare-up, it became clear that I needed surgery. What I didn’t expect was that I would wake up with a stoma bag. At that age, it felt like the end of the world. It was a traumatic experience, but looking back, it was a life-changing moment. Before the surgery, I was living with constant, debilitating symptoms that made daily life incredibly difficult. After the surgery, I could function without pain, and I didn’t have to be constantly worried about finding a toilet. I lived with the stoma bag for about eight months, and I was eventually able to have it reversed. That was a huge relief, especially at my age.
Over the last few years, I’ve had some flare-ups again. Thankfully, I now have a wonderful specialist based in Geelong, and I’ve also been able to connect with friends who understand what I’m going through—one of them also has Crohn’s, and another is a doctor. These people have been a huge support for me.
Despite having periods where I felt largely unaffected by the disease, I’ve learned over the last five years that Crohn’s requires constant management. I’ve tried a few medications, and I’m currently on Stelara, which has been effective for me. I’ve become much more proactive about managing my health. I’ve done research into diet, and most the time I know exactly how to handle flare-ups when they occur. Fortunately, it hasn’t had a massive impact on my day-to-day life, but it’s something I need to stay on top of.
Running has been a crucial part of my mental health.
When I’m exercising, I feel motivated to eat well and take care of myself, which in turn helps me manage my Crohn’s. Exercise is one of the few things that keeps my mental and physical health aligned. My experience with Crohn’s Disease has taught me the importance of advocating for yourself. For years, I didn’t speak much about my condition, especially when I wasn’t experiencing flare-ups. But recently, I’ve become more vocal about what I’ve gone through, partly because of this fundraiser and the vital conversations it has sparked.
When I was a teenager, I didn’t have these kinds of conversations, and I think that’s part of why my diagnosis took longer than it should have. A lot of people with Crohn’s disease keep their symptoms to themselves out of fear or shame, and I hope that by sharing my story, I can encourage others to be more open about their struggles.
I also hope that this fundraiser will help raise awareness of Crohn’s Disease and colitis and the importance of supporting research and treatment options. As I prepare for this 50k run, it’s not just a personal challenge; it’s a chance to advocate for myself and for others who suffer. I’m grateful for the support of my friends, my family, and the medical system in Australia. It’s taken me a long time to get here, but I’m proud of how far I’ve come—and I’m hopeful that by sharing my story, I can make a difference.
