Today is World IBD Day, bringing awareness to Inflammatory Bowel Disease, most commonly Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis. This illness is something I was diagnosed with as a young teenager. My experiences before and after my own personal D-Day (date of my diagnosis) were awful. It was extremely difficult having severe symptoms and not knowing what was going on with my body. Then, when I WAS diagnosed, it took a long time — years — to get the illness under control. Simply having a diagnosis and treatment does not on its own mean that you’re well.
It was around that time that I started seeking help for my mental health, as well. I believe that children and families dealing with childhood illness need as much support for their mental wellbeing as their physical. When I was lent a copy of The Anxiety and Phobia Workbook from a school counselor is when I started practicing yoga asanas and meditation. It was a GAME CHANGER for me. With regular practice, I noticed a decrease in general anxiety, panic attacks, and depression. I continue practicing both to this day, and they’ve enhanced my life.
That’s a big reason I wanted to bring the Still Kids curriculum to schools, because I know the effect these practices can have on kids who need it the most. Too many children live with childhood chronic illnesses and other childhood traumas. It’s time we get together and work on curing IBD, curing childhood illnesses, and helping our the youngest members of our community get the help they need to live well and thrive.
Still Kids 