by Beamlak Alebel & Kaitlyn Niznik
Kaitlyn’s experiences in the United States:
Living with microscopic colitis in the U.S. comes with its own challenges:
Months-long waits between doctor’s appointments
Expensive medications and treatments, especially without strong insurance
Delayed diagnosis despite advanced healthcare systems
Difficulty finding foods that align with dietary needs and aren’t overly processed
Being dismissed by others who don't understand the condition
A painful impact on social life and emotional well-being
Beamlak’s experiences in Ethiopia:
In Ethiopia, living with IBD means facing different (but just as heavy) burdens:
Widespread misconceptions: many believe it’s just stomach pain from bad diet
Medications are not only costly—they’re rarely available
IBD is seen as a disability, making it hard to find work
Employers are hesitant to hire people with chronic illness
Speaking openly often leads to judgment or silent gossip
There’s little public awareness, and support is nearly nonexistent
Surgery and pain are not just physical but emotional struggles too
Isolation is deep, and the future feels uncertain
Chronic illness carries stigma, creating silence and shame
Despite our different realities, our pain, fears, and desire to be understood are the same.
IBD knows no borders.
And neither does our strength.
We’re raising our voices—because IBD is real, painful, and deserves global attention.
By sharing our stories, we break the silence.
By standing together, we make IBD visible.
By speaking out, we show that shame fades when we are heard.
Let’s keep going. For ourselves. For each other. For every IBD warrior around the world.