Day 4 - #HAWMC - Sharing Resources

Today's post asks us to create a 'Care Page' for the newly diagnosed. It's aim to provide a starting blog for future advocates and a little help along the way shortly after diagnosis.

As I am a UK resident I've focused mainly on the first few places I ended up when seeking advice and support following my diagnosis.
If you too are in the UK, your first point of call should be the NACC. The National Association of Crohn's & Colitis. They are an excellent website and organisation offering help and information to Crohnie's new and old. They encourage you to reach out and come to them for guidance. They offer meet ups and events members and non-members can take part in. You can make use of them purely for informational purposes or get actively involved in charity events, marathons and coffee mornings.

http://www.nacc.org.uk/content/home.asp

Another great website to hit when Crohn's arrives on the scene, is the site of author John Bradley. He has written a wonderful book on living with Crohn's called 'The Foul Bowel' - which is funny, insightful and informative all in one. It's a great read for newly diagnosed Crohnie's as it is in turns informational and hilarious. It goes to places no books have gone before.. :)

http://www.foulbowel.com/

A relatively new UK charity set up for Crohn's support is called the Stephanie Rose Crohn's Foundation. One of the founders is the parent of a Crohnie herself and is an active member of the Crohn's community. They offer excellent advice and information for newly diagnosed patients. They are active on social networking sites such as Facebook and Twitter, and lovely people to boot :) 

http://www.thestephanierosecrohnsfoundation.org.uk/

These are all great places to start, and definitely worth a look. I would definitely recommend joining Twitter. I've met hundreds of amazing Crohn's sufferers who I could now call friends. They are always on hand for advice and support and as they are all over the world, there is always someone up and awake when you are down!
Finally, patient written blogs are also an excellent source of perspective and outlook on the ins and outs of living with the condition day to day. Look up Crohn's blogs on the net or check out my recommendations under my reading list.
Oh and I assume it goes without saying, READ THIS BLOG FROM COVER TO COVER ;)


This post was written as part of WEGO Health Activist Writers Monthly Challenge #HAWMC 30 posts in 30days