Honorees
Leah Corbin
My name is Leah Corbin and I'm a 24 year-old accountant living in Hollywood. I love spending time with my two dogs and cat and enjoy going to the movies in my spare time. I started having stomach problems when I was 17 years-old and went through many various tests and treatments until I was finally diagnosed with Crohn's disease when I was 21 years old.
I was immediately put on steroids and my symptoms went away for about a year. Since then, my symptoms have returned and I have tried many different treatments, all of which have failed to relieve my symptoms. I am having surgery on April 11th to remove the diseased portion of my intestines, and hopefully this will make me feel a lot better.
Since I am having surgery, I won't be able to run or walk in the 1/2 marathon, but I am offering my support and encouragement to all of you that are running and walking. I hope to be able to train along with you next year!
Kati Neidhardt
Hi my name is Kati and I am 21 years old. I love to shop with my friends and my sister and be with my family. I was attending school to be a teacher and was working part time when 2 years ago I was diagnosed with Crohn's Disease. Since then my life has really changed. This is disease with many complications that don’t just affect the patient. It has also taken a toll on my family and friends.
The last year the disease has really taken control of my life I have missed holidays special occasions, been hospitalized 13 times in less then a year. I even missed my own surprise 21st birthday so I have been really down lately but when I heard about the CCFA and all the great things they are doing for people in my situation I was elated to know that there were people out there who care. So I am glad that people are taking into account another disease that is very serious among our population and helping find a cure.
Before any of this happened I was just a normal teenager going on about my business but I don’t think that’s where my life was supposed to head. I think I was meant to help people and that is why this happened to me to open my eyes up to the possibilities. I have a wonderful family and support system and an amazing boyfriend who has stuck by my side through the good the bad and the ugly so even though I was unlucky to get this I am so blessed in many other ways. Thanks again for all your hard work.
Emma Sweaza
My name is Emma Sweaza and I am 11 years old. I am in 5th grade at Villa Park Elementary. I was diagnosed with ulcerative colitis when I was 6-1/2 years old. I had to take a bunch of medicine, sometimes more than 20 pills a day and have my blood drawn all the time. My stomach hurt all the time and I was always tired. I couldn't do anything fun and was afraid to go far from home because I was afraid I wouldn't get to a bathroom on time.
I missed a lot of school because I was so sick, either from the medicine I was on or from UC. One good thing about UC (ha-ha) is that I get to go to the Painted Turtle camp every summer. I love camp, it is so fun and everyone at camp has IBD, just like I do!
When I was 9, my UC got REALLY bad and I was very, very sick. My mom was talking to the doctor everyday and we tried all kinds of treatment but nothing worked. My parents tried to make me drink some special tea that tasted BAD! I had to stop eating sugar, dairy, fruit and vegetables. I missed drinking milk! I had to go to the hospital and get an IV every few weeks for Remicade treatments but it never worked.
In January I had to stop going to school and I went into the hospital. My parents and doctor said I had to have surgery and I was very scared. I cried and begged not to have surgery. Nine days before my 10th birthday I had my colon removed and was given an ileostomy. It was supposed to take just two surgeries but I was so sick I had to have three. I had the ileostomy for 7 months.
I didn't mind having an ileostomy bag because I finally felt good! I was able to go on sleepovers, go swimming and ride my bike again! I even went to camp with an ileostomy bag! My friends could see I felt so much better that they even wanted to help me when I needed to take care of my bag.
When I was getting my Remicade infusions I met another kid who had UC. After I had my surgery he saw how happy I was and decided it was okay for him to have his colon removed too! We spent a lot of time together and when it came time for both of us to have our final surgeries we did it together! We had surgery the same day and recovered together in the hospital. It was nice having a friend going through the same stuff.
I am back in school now and I don't have to take ANY medicine! I found out I have osteoporosis because of all the treatments I had but it doesn't stop me from doing what I want. I love to play video games, hang out with my friends and design clothes. I got a kitty after my last surgery and named him Oreo. He is black and white and I love him to pieces! I have a bunch of friends and am so glad to be back at school with them. I also have my group of IBD friends that I enjoy doing things with too.
I am excited to be your "honoree" and think it will be a lot of fun! My mom is excited too :)
Emma Sweaza
updated 6/26/08