‘Surgery gave me my life back’

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JUST ASK

Natalie-Amber Freegard, a dancer and model from Swindon, tells us why she’s backing our campaign for early diagnosis

1

Looking Back

Having the diagnosis of Crohn’s was just a relief. I’ve gone from not being able to live life at all, to enjoying simple things like eating food and studying for exams.

I had a relapse last year, so I’m experiencing some challenges, but I’m still here.

2

Raising Awareness

Surgery gave me my life back. But when I first got my stoma bag, I was in an emotionally abusive relationship. My ex-partner would make fun of my bag and it was awful. At my lowest point in 2018, I was still very underweight, but I was lying

4

Helping Others

In intensive care, you have limits on the number of visitors you can have, so no one could help me take care of my hair. It became so matted, I had to cut it all off.

I’d nearly died, then I’d woken up from an emergency operation with a stoma bag. So when my hair went, it was another blow. Now, I’m working with my local hospital to make curly hair products and appropriate brushes available in the intensive care unit for patients of colour.