Facebook Post about Crohn's Disease Goes Viral

A Liverpool, England teen’s viral Facebook post shed light on what it’s like to live with Crohn’s disease (CD) and an ileostomy bag, or stoma bag.

Aimee Rouski, 19, was diagnosed with CD at 11 and by 15 had surgery to remove her intestine, colon, rectum, and anus. Parts of her thigh muscles were cut away in order to cover her external wounds.

https://www.facebook.com/aimee.rouski/posts/1004224606322116

Rouski wrote:

“I’ve wanted to do this for a while because I always see body positive posts for weight, but not many for disabilities / invisible illnesses.

First off I have Crohn’s disease, it’s a serious incurable illness that nearly killed me, not just a stomachache like most people seem to think.

A person with Crohn’s will go through many different treatments including surgery, and it’s the surgery I want to touch on now.

My Crohn’s has left me with a permanent ileostomy, no large intestine, colon, rectum, anus or inner thigh muscles as they were used for plastic surgery on my wounds.

I’ve always been okay with the stuff that has happened to me, but some people have real difficulties accepting these things so I just want to say this.

No one will know unless you tell them.

People who know will still love you and still find you beautiful.

Your illness is nothing to be ashamed or embarrassed about”

The post — which included several pictures – has earned more than 70,000 likes, upwards of 14,000 comments and been shared over 22,000 times. She said she’s pleased by the response her post got.

“I’ve had a lot of messages from people telling me that I’ve educated them, inspired them, given them more confidence, and helped them to accept themselves a little more which is wonderful to hear,” she said in the Daily Mail.