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Ben's #7daysofIBD

Published: 02 December 2015

Crohn's Your Stories

12-year-old Ben has just become the world's youngest master scuba diver despite living with Crohn's Disease.

Here are Ben's #7daysofIBD as a blog post written by his father Jonathan.

DAY 1

Ben smiling with GP

Storm Barney hits Wales, so it's a wet and windy day in Wales... Home as usual, quick run through homework& piano practice.

Supposed to head to aikido... but with 30 minutes to go ....abscess wound / scar from earlier operation starts to hurt, so off to an emergency GP appointment where we have to go through and explain the entire history& Crohn's and medication...

Result - Course of antibiotics for a week... "Find me a moon, because I need to jump over it" - Ben is delighted, only antibiotics... no operation.

DAY 2

3 musicians on a concert stage

A tired day... school, homework - and a concert in the evening in Cardiff at the Millenium Centre... Melody Gardot - though we have to leave early as Ben is shattered:

"The concert was awesome - I'm sorry I had to leave early, I was really enjoying it, but I enjoy what I can!"

DAY 3

Ben wrapped in a blanket on a sofa.

Recovery day -school, homework, piano practice... and watching TV!

"I'm just really tired... it always hits me the day after, but an early night normally sorts it out!!!

And it is Friday tomorrow...!!!"

DAY 4

Ben playing piano.

School, homework, piano lesson - ready for grade 5 exam in 2 weeks!

Still tired, bed early.

"I'm still tired... but it's the weekend, fun time here we come!"

Day 5

Ben smiling sitting in a go-kart.

Aikido lesson, movies and work on Florence the Machine (his Go Kart - race licence exams in January).

"Another awesome day! Love Florence, love aikido... love Saturdays!!!"

DAY 6

Ben sitting on a carpet with a cat and scuba gear.

Drama class at the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama - where Ben has been involved in two productions in the last year.

Lunch with Nan, Mum& Dad... Sunday roast is easy - no allergic responses...!

Afternoon - Prep dive kit for Costa Rica at Christmas - 3 weeks today!

Bull sharks here we come: "Shark bait hoo ha ha!!!"

DAY 7

Ben holding a mug while laying on a sofa.

Another visit to the doctors... the abscess is weeping... repeat course of antibiotics (it's never just the one....!)- and multiple calls to each of the consultants at the different hospitals:

"No fun! but I did get a day off school...!"

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