URGENT UPDATE: A young man from Cardiff, Jaydon, is taking on a monumental challenge this January, running nearly six marathons to raise awareness for Crohn’s disease. After spending over a year in the hospital battling a debilitating bowel disease, Jaydon is now determined to inspire others while managing his own health.
Diagnosed with Crohn’s at just 12 years old, Jaydon faced debilitating symptoms, including constant diarrhoea, painful bone pain, and extreme fatigue. These challenges forced him to miss significant time in school and curtailed his passion for sports like rugby and football. Jaydon reflects on how the disease impacted his childhood: “It massively impacted my childhood. I missed out on school and dealt with so many symptoms for ages that just made me feel really unwell.”
Despite numerous hospital stays and ongoing flare-ups, Jaydon has turned his life around. He now successfully runs a car detailing and valeting business around Cardiff, allowing him the flexibility to manage his health. However, he still faces physical and mental challenges as he navigates living with a chronic illness, worrying about toilet access and managing daily pain.
Currently, Jaydon is on the waiting list for stoma surgery, which aims to create an artificial opening in the abdomen to divert waste into a collection bag. According to Crohn’s and Colitis UK, around one in five individuals with Crohn’s undergo this surgery within five years of diagnosis, many going on to live happier, symptom-free lives.
Now, as part of the Crohn’s & Colitis UK Big Winter Workout challenge, Jaydon is running 5 kilometers every day for 31 days, totaling 155 miles. He emphasizes the significance of his challenge: “I’m finally feeling healthier but still want to get fitter. I really want to raise money for the charity as I still think there’s a lot of misunderstanding about what Crohn’s is and just how serious it can be.”
This initiative runs throughout January 2024, and Jaydon’s commitment to run nearly six marathons highlights the resilience of those living with chronic illnesses. As he continues to advocate for awareness, he hopes to change perceptions about Crohn’s and its impact on individuals’ lives.
Stay tuned for more updates on Jaydon’s journey and the ongoing efforts to shed light on Crohn’s disease. His inspiring story is a reminder of the strength found in overcoming adversity.
