Recently my daddy brought my grandparents here to America from Pakistan for health reasons. I hadn’t been to Pakistan in several years, and during the time that my grandparents and I were separated is the time that I developed Crohn’s Disease. Being so far apart from them was very difficult.
When families are separated by miles, it makes understanding this illness even more complicated. A lot of gaps are filled with worry and imagination and feelings of helplessness. My grandpa describes how he and my grandma coped during the time I was going through the worst of this illness as well as talking about how they feel now that they are here in America with me. Please enjoy this video with my wonderful grandpa whom I love very much.
Thank you Daadaji for taking the time to film this with me, and to both you and Daadiji, there is no way that I can repay you for your love, care, understanding, and prayers. I know you both love me very much.
“Other things may change us, but we start and end with the family.” ~Anthony Brandt
~Your loving granddaughter, Nadia
Question: Does distance separate you from family/friends, making it difficult for them to understand everything you are going through?
My brother took time to answer a few questions for me on how my illness impacts him. I’m really close to both of my brothers and it was very interesting to hear Nabeel’s perspective. I always feel bad because a lot of the focus in the family is on me, but I’m glad to know that my brothers don’t resent or complain about anything. I’m very lucky. I love you Nabeel!!! Thanks so much!
Siblings are the people we practice on, the people who teach us about fairness and cooperation and kindness and caring—quite often the hard way. ~Pamela Dugdale
~Nadia
QUESTION: HOW DOES YOUR ILLNESS IMPACT YOUR FAMILY? SHARE WHAT WAYS THAT YOUR ILLNESS HAS CHANGED THOSE AROUND YOU.
My second video about family perspective with my mom touches more on the emotional impact that this has on my family. We also talk about how our relationship has changed while dealing with illness. I participated in this video with my mom to make it more interactive. My mom has been by my side through every single step during this struggle. In 2009 I had to be at doctor appointments, infusions, hospitalizations, and other medical related appointments equalling a total of 81 times. During the year each of those appointments it was my mom and I tackling them together. Doctors have the knowledge to be able to help me as their patient, but my mom helps me in so many ways. She is the driving force behind every step we take. This video shows how close we are. I love you very much mom! Thanks so much!
“Mother love is the fuel that enables a normal human being to do the impossible.” -Marion C. Garretty
This starts a series of videos that I am posting to share the perspectives of other family members and those close to a loved one who suffers from a chronic illness. This interview was conducted at my Daddy’s portrait studio. This is my dad, Fuad. He talks about the struggles that he has during my struggle with Crohn’s Colitis. My daddy is a small business owner and is often left alone to run the show while my mom does all the running and care of me for my illness. This is a candid interview as my daddy talks about insurance companies, trying to make money in a dipped economy, frustration with my illness, and how it impacted our whole family dynamic. This is a two part video. Thanks Daddy for doing this for me! I love you very much!
The questions I asked daddy are:
1. When you found out Nadia was sick, what went through your mind? What were your feelings as you began to see Nadia’s disease progress?
2. How has this illness affected your family, your lifestyle and you financially?
3. How is Healthcare compared between USA and abroad?
4. What is your relationship with your daughter as she endures all this?
5. What is your support system? Family and Friends?
“I love my father as the stars – he’s a bright shining example and a happy twinkling in my heart.” ~Adabella Radici
This is probably the best video so far put out by the Canadian Digestive Health Foundation. Here, Raquel Feldberg of Toronto talks about the challenges of being a young mother with ulcerative colitis, but also the importance of having a good family to help out when things get tough.
For anybody who has suffered with inflammatory bowel disease, you probably know how critical family can be when you are in times of need.
Raquel also talks about how she brought up the issue of ulcerative colitis with her young children, which I imagine is a very difficult conversation to have with a kid who can’t understand fully the nature of these diseases.
