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Natalie-Amber has Crohn's Disease and was diagnosed after emergency surgery to remove 35cm of her small bowel. Natalie-Amber's friends and family have been using Crohn's & Colitis UK's new app, In My Shoes: 24 hours with Crohn's or Colitis, to see if it can help them better understand what Natalie-Amber lives through every day with Crohn’s.
In My Shoes: Natalie-Amber's story
When I was told that Crohn's & Colitis UK were launching a new app called 'In My Shoes: 24 Hours with Crohn's or Colitis' I was really excited about the idea. I really love the fact people can now begin to have an idea of how we live with Crohn's or Colitis and how it is a task just to cope day to day, because trust me the name says it's all. Nobody would choose to be in our shoes!
I set the app to 10am start and began my day. I had constant notifications including even the smallest things. I love how detailed the app is. However, I am in the middle of a flare up so my toilet trips might have beaten the app this time round!
I urged my mum to download and use this app, asking her how she felt managing the app and being at her full-time day job. This is what she said:
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I found it very immersive and it took up a large part of my day. I didn't make it to the toilet a few times and I had to think about what I ate for lunch. I think it did give me an insight into how much the condition takes over the life of a someone with Crohn's or Colitis. I underestimated how much pre-planning is required like knowing where the toilets are, and how long it would take to get there, making sure I can buy food easily which isn't high in fibre that may cause pain or urgent trips to the loo, and remembering to take my medication. All of this whilst holding down a job!
Download the app
This programme was developed with and partially funded by pharmaceutical company Takeda UK, one of Crohn's & Colitis UK's corporate partners.
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Last updated: 22/07/2026
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