Hi my name is Ryleigh, and I am taking over the Bear POWER blog for the day!

A little about me:

This is my last semester at MSU (cheers and jumps enthusiastically!!!), and I am a service learning student fulfilling my capstone experience with Bear POWER. My major is Disability and Family Advocacy, and next fall I plan to pursue a Master’s in Public Administration with a focus in Nonprofit Organizations.

I love all things Disney, Harry Potter, crafting, and trivia. Every Wednesday I go with my two best friends/roommates, Nicole and Raven, to Trivia at Finnegan’s Wake here in Springfield. Thanks to our useless and differing knowledge of all things in this world, and also a really smart buddy named Ruben, we do really well!

What does Advocacy mean to me?

I was diagnosed with Crohn’s Disease when I was 12 years old, and I am now 22 years of age. Crohn’s Disease involves your body not believing your digestive system is a part of your body. Therefore, your body attacks it, causing mild to severe inflammation throughout your entire digestive system. As a result of having a very severe form of Crohn’s Disease I have had over 10 procedures, 2 major surgeries, and I now have a permanent colostomy bag on my stomach. Despite the repercussions of this disease, I do not let it stand in my way of fulfilling my dreams.

Now, I do not tell you this to look at me differently, or to pity me. I tell you this to educate and advocate for Crohn’s and ostommates alike. I go around to local Crohn’s and Colitis events in Missouri and Kansas talking about Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) and the effects it will have on Higher Education. I talk openly about my experiences and life living with a chronic disease because not everyone knows what it is. Being transparent about this disease, I can help those that have not come to terms with their disease or ostomy, and let them see that they are not alone.

Other advocacy events I go to yearly are Camp Oasis and IBD Day on the Hill. Camp Oasis is a five day summer camp held in August for campers that have been diagnosed with Crohn’s Disease or Ulcerative Colitis (the sister disease to Crohn’s Disease), and camp counselors who usually have the disease as well to come together for a week of forgetting they have to worry about anything other than just being a kid! Campers are surrounded by other people that have gone through the same experiences as they have. I look to those kids as an inspiration because it makes me want to try harder and to achieve more because I know if they can overcome anything their disease throws at them, then I can too.

Another event I also partake in is IBD Day on the Hill. People from every state come to our capital in Washington D.C. to meet with their Senators and House Representatives to advocate for policy reform that favors not only those living with Crohn’s or Colitis, but also others living with chronic conditions. This past May I had the privilege to meet with Senator Claire McCaskill and discuss three key bills we would like to see passed through the Senate to help those living with chronic health conditions. It was an honor to meet with Missouri’s Senators and House Representatives Legislative Assistants that advice our congressmen and women in hopes they may take a stance in our health reform.

EDUCATE. ADVOCATE. REITERATE.

Infinity and Beyond:

As a result of having such long lasting and life-altering experiences due to my health I have been fortunate to take part in many programs, volunteer positions, and leadership roles to help push me in the direction I am headed with my education and career goals. One day I would love to move to Washington D.C to be in the epicenter of all things political policy and change for America. One day I want to be one of the main voices in the crowd talking about disability reform and advocacy because the fight for equality is never over until every person is able to be fully included in everyday life to their full extent.