The Hidden Illness

With twotop sports people recently ‘coming out’ about having IBD, does that mean thatCrohn’s Disease and Ulcerative Colitis are ceasing to be hidden illnesses? 

DarrenFletcher, a well known footballer with Manchester United, has recently been inthe papers because he is taking a break from playing so that he can get somedegree of control, hopefully, over his Ulcerative Colitis.  But it appears he has had the illness for‘some time preceding this’ according to his team, and his absences wereexplained as due to a viral illness. 

 Lewis Moody plays for Bath RugbyClub and the England Rugby Team, and, after more than 5 years, has now let itbe known that he has UC.  For many yearshe kept it hidden because, as he says, “There was noway I was going to let my secret out to a bunch of rugby players who would thenmock me mercilessly.”  He also didn’twant his illness to be a reason for him to be treated differently by fellowplayers. 

When Lewis’scolleagues did get to hear about it, they took it in their stride when he hadto run off the training pitch.  Sharingthe knowledge of his situation also helped reduce the stress, and improve hissituation, though the depression caused by the conflict of his role as a topsports person and his physical needs had resulted in his need for furtherprofessional support to overcome the problems that had developed. 

It isn’t justsports people who feel conflict when they are faced with telling others abouttheir illness.  It is well recognised byCrohn’s and Colitis UK, whether as your local group or the national team, that‘hidden illnesses’ present a whole different set of issues, especially oneswhich involve taboo subjects like bowels and toilets. 

Disbelief is amajor problem, especially if you are desperate for the toilet or just can’t goout with friends yet again.  Queuejumping for the loo gets a very bad response from many people, largely becausethey don’t understand the illness, and perhaps because they can’t putthemselves into someone else’s situation. Also, hidden illnesses can cause people to be afraid, because of theirignorance of the implications. 

Some friends,colleagues and even employers may be sympathetic, especially if you providethem with some basic information, such as one of our leaflets.  Others can be less helpful and friends caneven be over-helpful or unsympathetic if they haven’t suffered much themselvesin life, though as Lewis Moody found, most will accept it as just a part ofyou.  And we do hear of employers whohave taken the time to find out about the illness and make provision forflexitime or home working.

Being with, andtalking to people who understand can be a great way to feel more relaxed aboutIBD and that is why Crohn’s and Colitis UK has local groups, so that there issomeone who knows about the challenges of living with the illnesses, and whowill be more understanding, whether you want to talk about your illness, orjust chat about the weather and not be embarrassed if you have to nip offquick. 

It is likely tobe a long while before UC and Crohn’s are not hidden and misunderstood, but weare working to spread awareness that we are, and continue to be, much likeanyone else. We want to be treated much the same as anyone else.  Perhaps we just need a little moreunderstanding when we have to ‘nip to the toilet a bit quick’ or are a bitirritable and really weary, and just can’t do anything except curl up on thesofa. 

For informationof the next chance to meet up with others whose lives are touched by IBD,whether you have it yourself, or it’s someone in your family who has it, phone 0845 130 6802  , 

or e-mail us at ecwd@groups.crohnsandcolitis.org.uk,  

or on Facebook at:   www.facebook.com/crohnscolitisuk.ecwd