Raising Simba high in the air while playing monkey Rafiki in a local production of The Lion King, Ashburton teen Charlotte Livingstone relished the moment that only a year ago had seemed impossible.
She was diagnosed with the autoimmune condition inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) at age 12, following severe ill health. A colonoscopy and endoscopy revealed ulcers along with bleeding and thickening of the bowel wall and she was given a temporary liquid nutritional diet and ongoing immunosuppressants.
"The medication only worked for around a year," says Livingstone, 17. "I was very underweight, sick all the time, and very tired."
Her gastroenterologist tried other medications, none of which were successful for long. "I'd have massive flare-ups when everything would go downhill. At times, I couldn't eat at all, was on the toilet 24/7 and vomiting." Other symptoms included diarrhoea, blood in her stools, and extreme fatigue.
There was also the humiliation of coming home from school one day and not being able to get to the bathroom in time.
Livingstone is one of more than 32,000 New Zealanders living with the disease, according to figures recently compiled by PhD candidate Angela Forbes, a national authority on IBD epidemiology.
The main types - Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis - cause ongoing inflammation in the digestive system that can lead to complications such as scarring, ulcers, and cancer.
IBD is no relation to the more common IBS - irritable bowel syndrome - which shares some of the symptoms. In IBS, the gut looks normal but is supersensitive, often to diet and stress. IBD, on the other hand, is an inflammatory disease with ulceration of the gut. There's no cure but it can be managed with medication and sometimes surgery.
Chronic gastrointestinal conditions typically become evident between the ages of 15 and 35, though a quarter of those diagnosed are 14 or under.
هذه القصة مأخوذة من طبعة June - 1-7 2024 من New Zealand Listener.
ابدأ النسخة التجريبية المجانية من Magzter GOLD لمدة 7 أيام للوصول إلى آلاف القصص المتميزة المنسقة وأكثر من 9,000 مجلة وصحيفة.
بالفعل مشترك ? تسجيل الدخول
هذه القصة مأخوذة من طبعة June - 1-7 2024 من New Zealand Listener.
ابدأ النسخة التجريبية المجانية من Magzter GOLD لمدة 7 أيام للوصول إلى آلاف القصص المتميزة المنسقة وأكثر من 9,000 مجلة وصحيفة.
بالفعل مشترك? تسجيل الدخول
Sights to behold
Being blind didn't deter Aucklander FRASER ALEXANDER and his partially-sighted wife from travelling in Europe. Their memories were shaped by sound, touch and smell.
Pages of delight
Charming survey of children's literature throughout the centuries should be treasured and reread.
Heart of the matter
Women are less likely to be diagnosed with heart disease than men, and less likely to get best treatment. Researchers are struggling with old stereotypes to right the balance.
Balaclava beats
Their paramilitary shtick is intentionally menacing, offensive and alienating, but to be fair to the hip-hop trio Kneecap, their infamous balaclava is disarmingly hilarious. Kneecap, the 2024 movie that offers a fictionalised account of their rise to fame, is a Bafta- and Oscar-nominated Northern Irish film sensation.
Friends like these
One of the stranger characteristics of the populist oligarchy mobilising around Donald Trump's new administration is the interest taken in the domestic politics of the UK.
Irresistible force
A new documentary about gentle rugby giant Jonah Lomu reveals little but is a reminder of what made him special.
Fleeing the nest
A tale of building a new life after an abusive relationship makes for an impressive debut.
Life less ordinary
Chelsie Preston Crayford follows a big 2024 with a new comedy role and putting the finishing touches on her debut feature as a director and writer.
Not on our watch
Nasa, one of the most technologically advanced organisations on the planet, made prospective astronauts take inkblot tests to determine their sexuality.
No free lunch
The new, cut-price school lunch programme will shut out many community providers. But will bulk-supplied meals meet children’s needs?
