Helping one another productively
I found that answering the questions in the survey was actually cathartic. I’ve read many of the stories that other IBD-ers have submitted. Are there common threads that manage, help heal (physically and emotionally), and deal with our lifelong disease that, when mentioned in print just about always has the word “debilitating” after “IBD.” Challenging, yes. Devastating, at times. I hate that! It offers NO hope. Let’s educate ourselves and help one another.
Hi
, this is such a great feedback, and I appreciate you taking the time to share your perspective here. I'm so glad that you found the survey cathartic! We're grateful to have your voice in our community. Best, Shelby, IBD.net Team Member 
I agree with you,
! I feel like if we are constantly surrounded by negative thoughts about the disease, it will keep us in a constant state of illness without allowing us to heal physically or emotionally. One thing that has helped me is to keep a gratitude journal. I write 3-5 things that I am grateful for at the end of each day--sometimes things very minor, other times huge events--and it helps me focus on life outside of Crohn's (which there is SO MUCH MORE OF!).
Perhaps you can start a gratitude journal and acknowledge all of the positives in your life without using the words "Disease" or "IBD" in it 😀
--Julie (Team Member)
