Finally well after a 30 year struggle with Crohns.

Hi, my name is Di.

I’m a farmer in the Central Wheatbelt of Western Australia, mother of four and grandmother to three.

As a young 21-year-old mum of two young children I suddenly fell inexplicably ill and struggled with painful stomach pains and chronic diarrhea.

Doctors insisted that food had nothing to do with my illness and suggested it was just because I was under pressure and stress as a mum.

I felt there must be more to it, so kept pushing for answers.

Eventually I was diagnosed with Crohns.

Over the course of 30 years I had to just ‘live’ with this autoimmune disease and manage as best I could.

It is a socially isolating to have; it’s embarrassing, inconvenient and unpredictable – running to the toilet constantly is not fun on any level.

I went on a pile of medications including painkillers, immune suppressants, steroids, gastro stop to cope with the physical symptoms and antidepressants to cope with my mental health challenges. Although all these medications helped get me through the day, they made me feel terrible.

I had completely forgotten what it felt like to be well.

At times my bowel would inflame so badly it would close, causing a bowel blockages. When the inflammation and ulceration became too bad I would require a bowel resection. My specialist warned me these would come twice as frequently each time, until eventually, I’d have nothing left to take.

As the Internet started coming in more, I started to hear about things that were helping other people with Crohns. Mainly to do with eliminating certain foods and I went on an education and learning journey.  Seeking out information and knowledge from many leaders and mentors in the health and wellness arena.

My passion for cooking came in handy and I started with the changes I could make in my own kitchen.

Things quickly improved dramatically.

Even the simplest changes to my diet equated to massive health benefits; far bigger than any medication and any doctor had ever made. Every win gave me hope and grew my confidence.

Within the first year, I came off immune suppressants. After two years, a colonoscopy showed no sign of Crohns.

And now, after three years, I feel the best I have ever felt.

In 2019 I graduated from The Nutrition Academy and I’m now a nutrition coach helping others in my community. I want to share what I have learnt, so other people can see what difference small changes can make to the quality of their life.

I have also done the Kultured Wellness program, and I now understand how connected the gut and the brain really are.  It was my ah-ha and I began to understand why I had been so exhausted and up and down with my moods. I never really connected my mental and physical health until then.  I also learned about detox tools, ferments, and the fundamentals of wellness.

I no longer feel helpless.

It has been so empowering to learn how to tune into my body, understand my symptoms as they come up, and be able to steer myself back onto the right track.

It’s nice to be back in the driver’s seat!