Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis are types of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). IBD is a lifelong, incurable disease. Symptoms are often invisible and debilitating and have a significant impact on mental health. Many young people with IBD are socially isolated, not knowing anyone else who has their condition. Camp Fearless provides these kids the opportunity to meet others like them, forging life-long friendships while learning how to manage the challenges of living with their disease.
IBD is often considered to be a 'young person's disease' because its onset is typically between the ages of 15 - 35 years. For young people, symptoms like faecal incontinence, bowel urgency and bloody diarrhoea are cause for embarrassment and stigmatisation. While others like nausea and vomiting, fatigue and malnourishment impact social functioning, creating isolation and impacting mental wellbeing. All this at a time when young people just want to fit in and be like their peers.
Young people with IBD are socially isolated, commonly opting out of social activities due to fears and anxiety associated with their symptoms. Camp Fearless offers a safe place for them to connect, foster resilience, increase knowledge of their medical condition and form lifelong friendships. They discuss topics and tactics for navigating life with IBD, such as part-time work, peer group support, managing the final years of high school and transitioning to tertiary education, training or work.
Australia has one of the highest rates of prevalence and incidence of IBD in the world, and it's growing. By 2030, it is estimated nearly 300,000 Australians will have IBD and 10% will be children at the time of diagnosis. Camp Fearless will arm these young people with the support and skills they need to manage their disease now and into the future via improved practical life skills and independence, heightened confidence and resilience, and increased connection to community outside of family.
Support this important cause by creating a personalized fundraising page.
Start a Fundraiser
