WeAreCrohns.org - The Social Support Network for People Living with Crohn's Disease and Colitis

Valerie

The 2nd WeAreCrohns.org Podcast is in the works! This special guest will be Michelle Aubie, a 23-year-old from Bathurst who is about to partake on a walk across Canada in the name of Crohn's and Colitis! Sponsored by the Crohn's and Colitis Foundation of Canada, Michelle is hoping to raise awareness and $100,000.

To find out more about the walk, visit: http://www.canadiandream.webs.com/

Leave your questions for Michelle in a comment below!

Some words from Michelle...

I've always had a passion for the outdoors. From a young age, I was aware that there was a life force in nature, a place to find peace and solace. As a young girl I would play for hours outside, just basking in the sun! As I grew up however, my interest grew as well. I began to possess a passion for books and movies. Which I still love to this day! The journey towards making the decision to do this walk, inevitably started as a teenager.

Without consciously knowing the walk would enter my future, I begun to get a taste for traveling and adventure. It was around that time in my life that the other motivating factor that led me to decided to partake on this journey reared it ugly head.

I have always made it a point to say that before I was diagnosed with Crohn's I had been dealing with depression and anxiety. As I like to say, my diagnosis with Crohn's was the icing on an already bad cake.  After high school I studied as a Child and Youth Care Worker. After graduation, I worked in the field for a while but quickly discovered it was not for me. There was always something missing in my choices but I was not sure what.

As of January 2009, I had finally made up my mind that I would no longer feel helpless and unhappy. I decided I wanted to follow my dreams and inspire other to do so as well. I knew I wanted to put out a powerful message that was personal to me. I could see no other way that I wanted to achieve this goal then by doing a Walk Across Canada for the Crohn's and Colitis Foundation.

I felt that walking would be a nice way to go back to my roots, those fond childhood memories of being in the sun! I could once again feel a connection to nature and it's beauty and what a better place to accomplish this then gorgeous Canada!

Since my diagnosis, my illness with Crohn's had been very difficult for me to handle. I was certain a walk for Crohn's and Colitis could preform a dual duty; helping those diagnosed with achieving acceptance and shedding light on the foundation and it`s mission. Once the idea creeped into my mind it quickly solidified.

In February 2009, I contacted the foundation and asked permission to do the Walk on their behalf, which has lead me here. I would like to leave you with one final note. I have always been a person who yearned to listen to my little voice called dreams. It is my hope that the Walk with not only shed some well deserved light on Crohn's and Colitis and it's amazing foundation of dedicated volunteers and workers, but also to inspire others to follow their dreams too. Since I have taken up "listening", I can honestly say I`ve never been happier!

The dream begins May 1st!11 months ago