A nurse from Hull is embarking on an epic challenge to get people talking about the ‘hidden illness’ of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).
Amy Carberry, a junior sister working on ward 130 at Hull Royal Infirmary, was diagnosed with ulcerative colitis last summer.
Since then, CrossFit fanatic Amy has been making it her mission to show that life still goes on with IBD and to inspire others who may be suffering with the condition.
This has culminated in the 123 Challenge, which will take place this coming weekend, Saturday 4 July, to represent the 1 in 123 people affected by IBD in the UK today.
Amy explains:
“I’d been struggling with various health issues for a few months before I was diagnosed with ulcerative colitis; I was really fatigued, I was passing blood, there was urgency when I needed to go to the toilet and I just generally wasn’t feeling good in myself.
“I was also preparing to get married, so at the same time as all this was going on, I had the extra stress of trying to plan a wedding too. I’d only told a few people who were close to me, and I put off going to see a doctor for quite a while as it was embarrassing and I thought it would just go away, but it came to a point where it was affecting me so much that I couldn’t put off seeking help any longer.
“I found the not knowing what was happening really difficult, both while I was experiencing those initial symptoms and in the run up to being diagnosed.
“When I finally received a diagnosis of ulcerative colitis, things fell into place more; the IBD Hull team really helped me to understand what was happening, provided treatments and coping strategies, but what really helped was being able to talk more openly about my condition and how it affected me.
“People with IBD may feel like they’re alone, but IBD is far more common than people think. Unfortunately, because it involves gut issues, toilets and bowels, a lot of people are still embarrassed by the subject and don’t feel able to talk about it, but that has to change.
“I’m a positive person, and I’m really keen that my condition doesn’t stop me doing the things I enjoy. In leading the 123 Challenge, I’m hoping some of that positivity can inspire others who might currently be struggling with IBD and give them more confidence to manage their illness, rather than having it limit their life choices and experiences.”
The Challenge
Amy and her friends at CrossFit Hull and Humber will be taking on the 123 Challenge on Saturday 4 July and are inviting other gym-goers, CrossFit athletes or anyone who just wants to take part to complete the same workout themselves; raising vital funds and awareness of IBD at the same time.
The challenge comprises a one-hour workout which will incorporate 123 reps of various CrossFit movements which include kettlebells, dumbbells and cardiovascular activity such as box jumps and burpees.
The workout can be undertaken individually or as part of a team, it can be done anywhere and can be adapted according to ability.
The full workout is available on Amy’s JustGiving page, where participants and supporters are invited to donate via JustGiving both to reward the athletes for their efforts and support the work of the national Crohn’s & Colitis UK charity.
Amy adds:
“Fitness has always been one of my main passions and one of my outlets for helping me cope with whatever life throws at me. Now it’s a way of showing others that an IBD diagnosis isn’t the end of the world, and if the 123 Challenge gets more people talking about IBD and helps to reduce the stigma which goes along with it, then that’s a double win for me.”