Fighting Back:
A Guide for Patients and Families Newly Diagnosed with Crohn's Disease
Abstract
Crohn’s disease is an inflammatory bowel disease that can affect any area of the digestive tract. Impacting people of all ages, Crohn’s disease symptoms can be debilitating, and there is no cure at the moment. There is not enough awareness surrounding the illness, and because of the complexity of the disease, many patients and families do not know where to start when first diagnosed. A guidebook for those that are struggling can provide some relief and comfort for those who are beginning their journey.
About Me
I am Rachael Keenan, a senior at Wakefield School in The Plains, Virginia. Following graduation, I will be attending James Madison University in Harrisonburg, Virginia, and I plan to study nursing. Creating a guide book for patients and families newly diagnosed with Crohn's disease is very important to me because my brother, James Keenan, has struggled for years fighting against the illness. The complexity of the disease and the inability stabilize James's symptoms made Crohn's disease feel like an unwanted part of my family. I have always enjoyed helping people and decided to further educate myself on a disease that has consumed my houshold, while giving back what I have learned to those who are just starting their journey.