September 2011- The start of my new life at Uni in London

Up until this time in my life I had never really had any health problems other than the odd cold and cough, oh and a set of braces. Various family members already suffered with Ulcerative Colitis and Crohn's disease, including my sister. When moving to university I did not expect to get so homesick, so I guess it's safe to say that the stress of missing my friends, family and home was enough to bring on these awful diseases.

I suppose I could say I am lucky to have a vast family history of these diseases, it meant I got a colonoscopy, diagnosis and medication relatively quickly. I was in flare for about 5 months when it all started, so not bad compared to some people. Studying dance meant I couldn't slump in the back of a lecture theatre and make notes when the pain was bad, but I was determined that this was NOT going to stop me! Even through the rocky start to my first year I still finished with a strong 2/1.