Project Colonless

A colon: A punctuation used to precede a list of items. It's a transition from the past, to all the potential of the future. The items after a colon expand on or clarify what came before it. They're not separate, lesser, or unrelated. They're what's to come. We know what comes after a colon is going to be important and meaningful. 

Its optional to capitalize a word after a colon. It's a style choice. In my case, it's a lifestyle choice. How will I proceed, after the colon? How will I choose to live my life after the colon is gone? It's my choice. 

I invented the idea when so much uncertainty and ambiguity began consuming me. But, I remembered the plaque my father gave me, which his gave to him.

"God, grant me the Serenity to accept the things I cannot change, Courage to change the things I can, and Wisdom to know the difference."

Long story short, I was diagnosed with Ulcerative Colitis at age 5. I've been hospitalized 3 times since, and battled this disease for almost 18 years. I've existed on drugs for the last 6 years that have ravaged my body and left me with a plethora of side effects. It has fundamentally changed my life. I've failed all available FDA approved drugs that exist and now as I try an experimental drug as a last ditch effort, I remain optimistic but I remain grounded in realism, at the eventuality which could become my reality. In the United States, Ulcerative Colitis affects about 900,000 people. Around 10% of incidences are in kids less than 18 years old. Less than 20% of people with UC have inflammation throughout the entire colon. I'm an outlier among outliers. Which explains why my case has been so difficult to solve. But as David Goggins once said, "I want to be uncommon among uncommon people." 

The only "known cure" for the disease, that eventuality I spoke of, is to have the entire large intestine (colon) removed. This could very well become my reality in a matter of months. I'll likely know by this summer. It's something I've come to terms with and it's something I want to make the most out of with this project.

This project, this tribute to what I've been through, is a promise to myself to accept that which I cannot change but have the courage to change what I can.

Through educating myself, being diligent about physical fitness, training my mentality towards positivity, and watching my diet, habits, and lifestyle I've gained as much control of my circumstances as a person with this ailment could. It's been a challenge at times but I believe 100% that it has helped. The nutrition and fitness have given me confidence. The mentality and lifestyle have given me peace. And I want to share this with others. To empower them. To help them gain control of the cards they were dealt. And to help others prove to themselves that they don't have to be defined and constrained by their disease. 

For now, Project Colonless will be my way of raising money for various organizations that help other kids, adults and families fight their fight against IBD. It'll go towards support for these folks, and towards organizations researching a cure. I'll do this through Team Challenges with the Crohns and Colitis Foundation, runs to raise money, extreme activities like hiking some of the highest peaks in America, and possibly the creation of guides on my experiences, diet, supplementation and much more, that could be of help to others. The physical feats show not only myself, but anyone else battling disease that it is possible. That to push yourself physically and mentally, is to defeat your circumstances; to gain control and to achieve confidence.

Project Colonless will exist now and it will exist in the future, regardless if I have a colon or not. Because it isn't about the colon. You'll notice in the logo, that the colon symbol is filled in. For now. If/when it's removed. I'll remove the filling on the symbol and the logo will remain unchanged. Analogous to my mentality throughout this. 

This is about me gaining control of my life, despite the circumstances, despite the odds. It's about a conscious choice to push harder and to use this gift and this curse. I'll use this message, based in truth and experience, to help others do the same, and together we'll support one another, and eventually find the cure. 

To my friends and family. You've been my rock. I couldn't have gotten here without your love and support. I'm eternally grateful. I look forward to your future love and support as we tackle this new endeavor together, ever striving to make a positive impact out of a negative situation. Turning these cards I've been dealt, this hand of life, into a gift rather than a curse. 


Ps: My first major endeavor -- Hiking the Grand Canyon, Rim to Rim, over 20 miles on October 13th, and raising $4900 for the Crohns and Colitis Foundation
Here is the link to my personal donation page:
http://online.ccfa.org/site/TR/TeamChallenge/TeamChallenge?px=3684570&pg=personal&fr_id=7987