College is full of stressors. Schoolwork, classes, extra curriculars, staying social, and getting enough sleep weigh heavily on students' minds. But for millions of college students, these issues must come second to a disorder or disease. These students must battle their illnesses in the midst of trying to lead normal college lives.
Erin Bacon is ambitious. Last fall she explored Paris and Europe. Last winter she spent reporting on Congress in Washington, D.C. She is in a sorority and is active in the Northwestern community. This summer she will be interning in Washington D.C. But every day she battles her pain.
Erin has Endometriosis, a disorder where the tissue that lines the inside of the uterus grows outside of it. Last summer she had surgery for her disorder. She finds it hard to talk to people about her disorder and especially to employers because so much of her life is dictated by her level of pain.
Unwillingness to talk about a disorder or disease is not uncommon. Paige Leskin, another Northwestern junior, has Celiac Disease and Psoriasis. She spends many of her days in bed because of her Celiac. On the days she does go out she tries to cover the psoriasis on her knees with makeup cover-up.
Paige must balance extra curriculars, classes, and friends on top of the constant struggle of trying to be healthy enough just to get to the point where she can go to class.
Her shame keeps her from asking for help. She says, "If I'm feeling like shit I will probably not tell anyone. I just try to work through it. I don't want to be defined by it."
Like Endometriosis and Celiac Disease, Crohn's Disease is chronic, debilitating, and almost impossible to notice. I was diagnosed with Crohn's when I was 9 years old and since have tried every medication on the market to no success. My life is a constant struggle of balancing "normal" college activities with trying to take care of myself as best as possible.
For students with Crohn's, the stress of having the disease is overwhelming. Not knowing when a flare up will occur and even not knowing constantly where a bathroom is is enough to make us afraid to go to class. Freshman year I missed half of my Intro to Macro Economics lectures because the bathroom was 3 floors away from the lecture hall and I knew that if I became sick during the lecture I wouldn't make it to the bathroom on time.
For me, Paige, and Erin, our diseases will never go away. But there is hope that with experience and strong social support, we will lead "normal" lives.
