Back to School Resources: If making your way through the blackboard jungle seems impossible, check out these tips that can help, especially if you're setting up an IEP or 504 Plan!  And even if you may already know how to deal with your IBD, there are other people who might need some education! How can you help your parents, teachers and school administrators understand your needs as a student with IBD? Check out the Resources page for links to CCFA brochures like our “Guide for Parents” and “Guide for Teachers.”

One Teen’s Story and the Life Lessons He’s Learned: Mycah had been experiencing unusual stomach pain for a number of years before his diagnosis with Crohn’s disease. He has learned a lot about the disease and himself since that time. Learn more about his inspirational story and how it sparked his career decision!

What about you? Do you have something unique and positive to say about your experiences with IBD? Share it here in video or text. Your story could be posted on the site, or even featured in this newsletter!

Tip of the Day: “You might decide that you want to attend your team's games or meets so you can cheer from the sidelines… OR you might decide you just can't deal with watching everyone else play. Do whatever feels right to you.”

Do you have any words of wisdom for other IBD teens? Share your own tips here.

Ask an Expert: “I am a cheerleader and I have ulcerative colitis. My doctors are thinking about me having a colectomy surgery and I wanted to know if afterwards I would still be able to do cheerleading?”

Find the answer to this question here!

Do you have an IBD-related question? Ask an expert here. 

Calling All College Students: Want to join or start a support group on your college campus? Learn more about the Crohn’s & Colitis Student Forum here! 

If you want online peer-to-peer support, check out CCFA’s Online CommunityYoung Adults Forum where you can post questions, tips, and advice. Whether you have questions or tips on relationships, school, new jobs or other life events, find the support and answers you need right here—or offer your own advice.

New Resource - IBD Self-Management Handbook: We wanted to let you know about a new resource posted on our Resources page called “Living Well with Inflammatory Bowel Disease: A self management handbook for patients and families with IBD.” The Handbook was carefully crafted by experts in pediatric IBD at Nationwide Children’s Hospital (Columbus, Ohio) and Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center (Cincinnati, Ohio), and includes practical tips and suggestions from parents and kids who are living with Crohn’s and ulcerative colitis. This Handbook delivers critical information for patients and families dealing with IBD.  It is unique in that it offers not only general information about IBD, but more importantly it provides tools and information to help patients take better care of themselves, and to interact more effectively with their health care team.

The Handbook has been independently reviewed and endorsed by the Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation of America (CCFA).

Do you have something unique and positive to say about your experiences with IBD? Share it here. Your story could be posted on the site, or even featured in this newsletter!