When I was diagnosed with Ulcerative colitis/Crohn’s disease six years ago, I was ignorant to the extent to which it would change my life. It altered all plans I had meticulously pieced together for a cohesive and creative existence within the world. The continual road of ups and downs not only affected me, they impacted my family, finances, and career. I knew people with UC/CD before I was diagnosed, yet had no idea of the daily struggles they faced, from immense pain and fatigue to brain fog to how your life stops when you have a flare. I lost my independence, financial nest egg, numerous jobs, relationships, and eventually myself.