Crohn’s Disease Gets Spotlight Thanks To “Man Of The Year” and Shaming Facebook Post

Crohn’s Disease has been sort of a mystery that people just don’t talk much about. Whether it’s because not much is known about it yet or because it has to do with a rather embarrass...
Crohn’s Disease Gets Spotlight Thanks To “Man Of The Year” and Shaming Facebook Post
Written by Lacy Langley

Crohn’s Disease has been sort of a mystery that people just don’t talk much about.

Whether it’s because not much is known about it yet or because it has to do with a rather embarrassing part of the human anatomy, Crohn’s disease just doesn’t get much play in the game of social awareness.

However, thanks to the Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation of America’s “Man of the Year”, former left tackle for the New England Patriots Matt Light, and a recent informational Facebook post by a fellow sufferer, more details are coming to light.

Crohn’s disease is an inflammatory bowel disease that causes inflammation, many times severe, of the digestive tract.

Matt Light was diagnosed with Crohn’s disease back in 2001, but it wasn’t until it got so bad that it spread to his appendix in 2006 that he really started to come to terms with the extent of the severity that the disease could reach.

That time when @muckbootco surprised Matt with new boots for #ShootOut2015

A photo posted by The Light Foundation (@lightfoundation) on

While Matt Light has publicity and a hero’s sympathy to make his journey with Crohn’s disease a little easier, not all sufferers are so lucky.

In the case of Ste Walker, an everyday person living with Crohn’s disease, there could even be skepticism and apathy.

Walker got fed up with people commenting that he looked normal and was trying to game the disabled assistance programs and wrote an illuminating, and shaming, Facebook post for those who don’t get it.

People are too quick to judge these days, just because I look normal and speak normal, that doesn't mean I don't have a…

Posted by Ste Walker on Sunday, October 25, 2015

He wrote in part, “People are too quick to judge these days. Just because I look normal and speak normal, that doesn’t mean I don’t have a major disability.”

He added, “I look like any normal guy my age, but that’s because I want you to view me like that. Look a bit closer, or ask me questions, and you will soon realize that I have a major illness.”

Walker also posted photos of the physical detriment his struggle with Crohn’s disease has brought on.

Do you suffer from Crohn’s disease or know someone who does? Can you share an experience?

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