Two of our 2025 Crohn's and Colitis Young Adults Network Fellows, Akhil Shridhar & Alexis Gomez (alongside 2022 Fellow Maalvika Bhuvansunder & Program Manager Rosa Kelekian) presented on the intersections of Chronic Illness, Mental Health, and Cultural Considerations at the 2025 Bridging Voices, Building Futures: Youth Innovation in Mental Health Conference (hosted by Generation Mental Health). Their presentation “Silent no More: We are the Story and the Solution” discussed some of the mental health stressors that young adult patients face, challenges accessing care (particularly for patients in low/middle income countries), and our thoughts on integrating peer support and community-led programs into mental health care.
Watching Your Child Live with IBD: The Story You Don't Hear
by Michelle Garber (California, U.S.A.)
In this video, 2025 CCYAN Fellow Michelle interviews her mother, Amanda, about what it's like to be a parent of someone with Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD), which is often a side of the IBD story that goes untold. Together, they take a trip down memory lane, recounting life before Michelle's diagnosis, and discuss the hard truths that come along with not only having IBD but also witnessing someone who you love suffer from it. Michelle and Amanda dive deep into conversations about advocacy, mental health, self-care, comorbidities, and more. This mother-daughter dialogue fosters a unique caregiver and parental point of view, further expanding the conversation about caregiver support while highlighting the need to share untold stories in order to create more awareness for IBD patients, parents, and caregivers alike.
Content warning: This interview includes discussions around topics like hospitalization, medical dismissal, and mental health struggles.
Familial Patterns: Generations of Patients Livestream
by Kaitlyn Niznik (New York, U.S.A.)
Join 2025 CCYAN fellow Kaitlyn Niznik for a tour of her art show "Familial Patterns: Generations of Patients" at Gallery RAG in Gloucester MA! See the gallery space and learn more about the artwork — including poetry/artwork from other 2025 CCYAN fellows (Beamlak, Aiswarya, and Alexis) and community members!
Life with IBD
By Aiswarya Asokan, Akhil Shridhar, and Rifa Tusnia Mona
Watch Aiswarya, Akhil, and Rifa’s video on Life with IBD! The idea is to contrast the personal, raw footage (amateur feel) with vibrant stock footage to amplify the emotional weight of the message—we can highlight the gap between the lived reality of an IBD patient and the world they aspire to fully experience.
Caregiver Conversations IV: Supporting Someone with IBD
By Zahraa Chorghay
In Zahraa's fourth Caregiver Conversations for CCYAN, she chats with her friend, Gnanu, on what it means to support someone with IBD, with a focus on disability access and unlearning judgement.
Caregiver Conversations III: Supporting Someone with IBD
by Zahraa Chorghay
In Zahraa's third Caregiver Conversations for CCYAN, she chats with her friend -- let's call her "Kelly" -- on what it means to support someone with IBD, including lessons learned from the textbook to real life, the importance of patience and flexibility, and Kelly's insights on what we can salvage with friendship even in the throes of IBD.
A "Day Off" with IBD
by Alexis Gomez (California, U.S.A.)
Join 2025 CCYAN Fellow Alexis on her “day off” with IBD, as she takes care of medical tests, navigates insurance, and flexes her advocacy skills (plus, engages in some self-care along the way)!
A Week in my Life with IBD (in remission)!
by Michelle Garber (California, U.S.A.)
Join 2025 CCYAN Fellow Michelle for a week in her life as a young adult with IBD!
Voice-over:
I start this week looking my best,
Make-up on, energy up, and Purim Party dressed.
I have a good time with friends I adore,
My night routine later becoming SUCH a chore.
I then wake up exhausted and can’t get out of bed,
But I still do my work and eat, with the few spoons I have left.
The following day, I am more energized,
Entering a room I know is so sterilized.
I fight through the fatigue brought on by my infusion,
Work, eat, pack my lunch, and take my meds before my day came to its conclusion.
I now begin my work-week by getting up at 6,
Drown myself in coffee, one of my favorite tricks!
I go to my internship, and straight into my routine,
Notes, calls, clients, group therapy, and a lot of caffeine!
After work, I can’t do a lot,
But look at this cute video I got!
I awaken fatigued, joining class with my dog,
Eat, complete assignments, and get ready for work tomorrow…all with pretty bad brain fog!
The next day still comes quick, and to my internship I return,
I have a great session with a client, but for dryer weather I yearn (*the rain scares me*)
The chef made us salsa, which I completely devour,
Before heading home in what felt like a shower.
My day begins again with food and class,
Doing moving-day duties while trying to survive saying, “This too shall pass.” (*yes it will!*)
I call my best friend, who always makes me elated,
Thankfully managing to finish my speech and shower, no this isn’t x-rated. On this last day,
I wake up and eat,
Put on some make-up, and hop in my brother’s passenger seat.
I head to a gallery featuring art by the IBD community,
Presenting my speech while feeling such unity in our autoimmunity (*hehe*).
I eat more food before waiting in line,
The concert was great, but GOD my poor spine!
While I wake up so drained, I still remember the night I had,
So just don’t push too hard or use all your spoons, and life with IBD can sometimes be rad.
Caregiver Conversations II: Supporting Someone with IBD
In Zahraa's second Caregiver Conversations for CCYAN, she chats with Irum on what it means to support someone with IBD, including lessons learned, the importance of patience and self-care, and Irum's words of wisdom on how well-being is a constant, concerted, community effort.
Check out the first Caregiver Conversation if you have not yet.
Caregiver Conversations: Supporting Someone with IBD
In Zahraa's first Caregiver Conversations for CCYAN, she chats with Arna on what it means to support someone with IBD, including lessons learned, the importance of patience and communication, and Arna's relationship advice.
Beverages and IBD: Science and Taste
Mahdwer Ayalew, one of our CCYAN Fellows for this year, shows her favorite drinks and explains the scientific evidence for their positive health effects. Read more on the effects of turmeric, black pepper, and green tea in the articles linked below:
A Day in the Research Lab: IBD and the Microbiome
Our CCYAN 2023 Fellow, Karen Mancera, is a second-year PhD candidate in biomedical engineering at the University of Florida. Her specialty focuses on IBD and the gut microbiome--check out this video for sneak peek on her daily research work and a look inside of a medical research laboratory.
A Day in the Life of IBD: Colonoscopy
Content warning: colonoscopy, needles, medical procedures
Our CCYAN Fellow, Mahder Ayalew Bezabih, shares her experience of her first colonoscopy in seven years.
Crohn's and Colitis Young Adults Network Journey
Dr. Fasika, brilliant mother, doctor, and 2022 Fellow for the Crohn's and Colitis Young Adults Network (CCYAN), shares her thoughts on her fellowship journey.
Thoughts On Pregnancy and IBD
In this video, 2022 Crohn's and Colitis Young Adults Network Fellow, Fasika, shares her experience with pregnancy and childbirth while having IBD. You can view the articles that Fasika has written about on Postpartum Anxiety & IBD here https://www.ccyanetwork.org/news/post... and one on Pregnancy & IBD here https://www.ccyanetwork.org/news/preg...
How to Support Your IBD Friends
CCYAN fellow, Maalvika, interviews her good friend, Mitanshi, on how to support your friends through their IBD diagnosis and journey and gives great advice for fostering great relationships with your chronically ill friends.
Learn How to Make Indian Chai Tea
By: Maalvika Bhuvansunder
Disclaimer: This tea may not suit everyone, as each person with IBD has different dietary restrictions and what works for one may not work for the other
The recipe and instructions for this delicious drink are below:
Indian Chai -serves two
Ingredients:
Tea powder: 1 teaspoon*
Ginger: one tiny piece
Cardamom: 2 pods
Clove: 2 pieces
Cinnamon: 1/4th of a stick or a small piece
Water: one teacup
Lactose free milk: one teacup* (Video recipe uses @almarai lactosefree milk)
Sugar: 2 teaspoons*
Method:
In a tea pot, add in one cup of water
Crush together ginger, cardamom, clove, cinnamon and add them to the water
Boil the above on low flame for 3-5 mins
Once the color of the water gets a slight tint, add in 1 ½ teaspoon of tea powder
After a minute, add in one teacup of milk
Add in 2 teaspoons of sugar and let it boil on high flame
When the tea comes to a boil switch, off the stove and strain the tea.
Serve with your favorite snacks or biscuits.
*Use decaf black tea if caffeine is an issue(ex: Lipton decaf black tea bags)
*You can replace the milk with any plant based ones or have the tea black if preferred
*You can add in any other spices such as saffron or mint, based on ones liking
*Sugar can be skipped
The recipe can easily be doubled or reduced. Add equal quantities of water and milk
To the Girl Staring Back at Me
Natasha Kacharia, was diagnosed with ulcerative colitis her junior year of high school. In this video, she shares how she failed to recognize herself in the mirror and eventually learns to appreciate her new identity with her diagnosis.
Photo by Lukáš Dlutko from Pexels
This article is sponsored by Connecting to Cure.
Connecting to Cure Crohn’s and Colitis is a grassroots, volunteer organization that brings together the IBD community with a focus on caregivers and families. Connecting to Cure Crohn’s & Colitis provides community and support for those coping with these chronic illnesses, while raising awareness and funds for research as well.
It's Stelara Injection Day
Follow along with Savannah on her Stelara injection day! Learn about what she does to make the day easier on herself.
Photo by Karolina Grabowska from Pexels.
Moving into Stanford Except I'm Chronically Ill and Stuff
Hi! My name is Nathalie, one of the CCYAN fellows of 2021!
Spend some time with me while I talk about what it’s like to move when you have a chronic illness! If you want to find out more information about me or CCYAN, be sure to check out @ccyanetwork on social media.
This content is sponsored by Lyfebulb.
Lyfebulb is a patient empowerment platform, which centers around improving the lives of those impacted by chronic disease.
This video was created by Nathalie Garcia from the U.S.
Photo by Ricardo Esquivel from Pexels.