I was first diagnosed with Crohn’s by a surgeon at Leeds General Infirmary. I was sent there because the doctors at my local hospital had no idea what was wrong with me.

Since 1972 I’ve had three bowel resection operations and I’m awaiting a fourth. Unfortunately, in late 2021, I started having strictures and small bowel blockages, constipation and uncontrollable diarrhoea, which has led to stays in hospital. But I’ve accepted it’s all part of having Crohn’s. 

I believe in positive mental attitude, but in my younger days I didn’t practise it; I just carried on as best I could. In those days very little was known about Crohn’s so I did lots of research at the local library, always believing that the more I knew about this incurable condition the better armed I was to deal with it.