talkhealth Blog

Why should I care about a disease that does not affect me?  is a question that I know many people often ask.  If they do not have Crohns Disease themselves or know someone who has it, they typically do not see the point in educating themselves on Crohns.

But after doing an interview with a friend on mine on how he has used the information from my blog to better perform his job, I hope to change your mind and convince everyone that each and every person should learn more about what it is like to live with a Chronic Illness.

Meet Bryan:  “Bryan is a  a financial advisor with serious long term investors. He help his clients achieve their long term goals whether that be paying for college education, preparing for retirement, or living through out retirement. Each solution is created for each individual’s needs.”

“Your blog does a great job of putting serious issues into a fun educational way to read about.” – BryanWhen I asked Bryan how my blog has helped him with is job, he emphasized the “relationship” aspect of his job.   He knows that he does not have a “perfect understanding” of Crohns Disease or any other illness, but having read my blog has given him an understanding that he never would have had before allowing him to relate to people on a more personal level.

“…having a better understand [means] I can talk with individuals and understand some of what they are going through. Although I’ve never been personally affected by their illness I can relate to people who have through first hand experiences.” – Bryan

Specifically, Bryan mentioned a blog post I had written about my ileostomy and the bag I had to deal with.  He mentioned how being educated on this topic had allowed him to connect with one of his customer’s whose wife was struggling with her bag.  Once again, although Bryan had never experienced the bag himself, through my experiences expressed in my blog, he was able to build a better relationship with his man! 

“Needless to say I wouldn’t have known any of that info if it weren’t from reading and learning from you.” – Bryan

At the end of the interview, Bryan wrote in his own response providing me with an even more convincing reason why everyone should read some sort of medical blog!  “I think readers can find this information useful as it doesn’t just apply for your illness…[by] learning to be accepting of others no matter what they look like or what illness they have.” -Bryan

The point Bryan is making is that by taking the time to learn about what it is like to live with a chronic illness, you are making yourself a better person, by setting yourself up to be a better friend.   Being able to relate to those who are going through things you have never been through will facilitate you as you build relationship with those around you.

“… if you can learn a little bit about their issues that only allows you to be a better friend and a better person.” -Bryan

My interview with Bryan was both informative and encouraging.  The goal of my blog is to educate the general population and help those who are suffering from IBD, or know someone suffering from IBD.   His answered showed me the impact I am having on those around me and I could not be more grateful!

That being said, a huge thanks goes out to Bryan for taking the time to answer some of my questions about my blog is making a difference in his life!