In this episode we will discuss Crohns Disease with those great Spoonies from "The Real Life Show: Living With A Chronic Illness"-

 Cassie Da'Luz Vieira and Chelsea Sondergard!

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 Cassie’s journey with chronic illness began when she became a caregiver for her mother when she was 16 years old. She watched her mother fight crippling pain, go in and out of hospital and yet stay positive, optimistic, strong, happy and loving while she battled a terrible illness for 6 long years until she passed away in 2011. Having a 2yr old boy of her own at the time, Cassie realized the impact illness can have on your children, and she was determined to show her son that like her mother, one can still accomplish anything they want to, no matter what challenges one may face... not knowing that she too would soon be battling a health fight of her own. Cassie was later diagnosed with Crohn's Disease and chronic Lyme disease, and lives with a multitude of symptoms on a daily basis.

All of this leads to why Cassie is extremely passionate about helping those with a chronic illness live a full, joyful, purposeful life. 

 

It can be a rather lonely world out there living with a chronic illness, and after feeling exceptionally isolated, Cassie reached out to her coworker and friend, Chelsea, about them starting their own support group. It was in that first meeting that they found themselves lit up with passion, feeling their hearts fill up, and so Spoonies Unite was born, along with their other chronic illness based community and resource hub, found at MyWellnessHub.co  and their podcast- The Real Life Show: Living with a Chronic Illness.

 

Cassie is also a certified Pilates instructor and single mom who loves reading, going for walks, coffee, period piece dramas and lots of chocolate! 

 

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CHELSEA SONDERGARD

Chelsea spent 6 years of her life learning more about how the body moves and is impacted by physical activity while getting her B.S. in Health and Exercise Science and her Masters in Exercise Science.

 

While she loves taking her knowledge of the body to help people become more active and move better and easier, she felt like something was missing. In 2019 she made the choice to combine her philosophy on listening to one's body and taking care of oneself, her knowledge of how the body works, and her interest in personal development and mindset together to start her life coaching business, Chelsea D Coaching. Now Chelsea helps people connect with themselves, figure out what it is they really want in life, and create habits and systems that allow them to feel their best - stress-free!

 

Growing up Chelsea watched her grandfather take care of her paraplegic grandmother. She saw first hand from a young age that both the individual in need of some extra care, and the care-taker need love and support to be able to be their best selves. Her grandfather has been a huge influence on her life and she loves having the chance to help people that are always supporting the ones around them. That was a big inspiration in creating Spoonies Unite to be a support ground not just for those with the actual diagnosis, but also for the individuals in their life. Chelsea and Cassie offer resources, guidance, and support to all sides to help create loving, supportive, and understanding environments. Learn more about the resources they're providing at MyWellnessHub.co 

 

Chelsea has a loving husband, 2 amazing dogs, and loves Harry Potter, ping pong and trying new food! 

 

Crohn's disease is a type of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). It causes inflammation of your digestive tract, which can lead to abdominal pain, severe diarrhea, fatigue, weight loss and malnutrition.

Inflammation caused by Crohn's disease can involve different areas of the digestive tract in different people. This inflammation often spreads into the deeper layers of the bowel.

Crohn's disease can be both painful and debilitating, and sometimes may lead to life-threatening complications.

While there's no known cure for Crohn's disease, therapies can greatly reduce its signs and symptoms and even bring about long-term remission and healing of inflammation. With treatment, many people with Crohn's disease are able to function well. (Credits MAYO Clinic)