Raising awareness of, and supporting, young people with long-term health conditions
I was diagnosed with Ulcerative Colitis (UC) at the age of 16 after falling ill with my first flare. UC is a form of Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) and is an inflammatory condition that causes ulcers, which can bleed and produce mucus, to form in the large intestine. It is currently incurable but can be … Continue reading IBD: Conversations with Friends
By Ella Crossley I am Ella, a sixteen-year-old girl with Crohn's Disease this isn’t something that I tell people very often, for the simple reason that I’m embarrassed by it. I’m not ashamed of the fact that I am ill, it doesn’t make me feel weak or less able in anyway whatsoever. It’s the disease … Continue reading I am Embarrassed
Last weeks post touched upon just how big a problem accessibility is, and how isolating and demoralising it can be for individuals up against it, and how widespread a problem it is in a way you may never have noticed. This makes having friends who both support you with this and share the anger and … Continue reading Accessibility: Being Part of The Solution (2/2)
So, what is accessibility. The dictionary definition of accessibility is ... ‘The quality of being able to be reached or entered’ However, accessibility can often be defined by what ‘inaccessibility’ means. Inaccessibility means being unable to go out alone due to cobbles, kerbs with no drop downs and degrading pavement stones. Inaccessibility is saying that … Continue reading Accessibility: A conversation we need to have. (1/2)
Socialising is a minefield for all young people; but as set out in our first post, its particularly tricky with a chronic illness or disability. However, with chronic illness and disability other challenges present themselves. For instance, for some people looking at bright screens may be difficult however friendship ‘group chats’, planning and networking all … Continue reading Socialising- Some Top Tips! (2/3)
Everyone knows socialising is important in maintaining friendships. In primary school your parents would encourage you to invite someone round and then they would return it and build the friendship, in high school going on those first trips shopping into town with friends was a bonding experience, and by the time you’re leaving school to … Continue reading Having a Social Life is Harder Than It Looks! (1/3)
So, why discuss it? Well, as a young person it feels like everyone is discussing it, your friends are moving on, starting their own lives, and constantly talking of their own ever increasing independence. However, when you have a chronic illness or a disability, then it is easy to feel conversations turning towards dependence for … Continue reading Independence: Why Discuss it? (1/3)
The LUNA Project Blog 