One year since a certain surgery? One year of dating somebody? No, silly! The United Colon Vlog is now one year old!
It’s hard to believe an entire year has passed since I started this project. I originally just wanted to make a video or two about how to empty an ostomy pouch…and look where it’s gotten me now! Because of you and your support, this site has grown by leaps and bounds.
Currently, there are 118 videos on this site that have been watched over 127,000 times by people all over the world! 118 videos about colitis, ileostomies, and J-pouches that didn’t exist a year ago. And many of these videos are generated by ideas from you all, so thank you! Keep sending me emails and asking me questions. Conversing with you all and learning your stories is truly the best part of this job.
Many of you have told me that you’ve watched all of my videos. If that’s true, then you’ve spent over 12 hours watching my videos! For those who have done this, I thank you for your investment and I hope you learned something in those 12 hours.
Here’s another fun fact. Assuming all 127,000 of those videos were watched in their entirety (I could only fantasize to be that consistently engrossing), it would take over 544 days to watch them back to back!
That’s the equivalent of watching 17,408 episodes of Modern Marvels back to back. (I threw that in there for Matthew, who loves those kinds of statistical comparisons).
So what’s in store for the vlog next? Well, many, many projects are going on simultaneously. First, I’m continuing to make videos, and am well underway to making the next 100 videos. Believe me, I think there’s issues to cover still.
Second, I’m working on featuring more videos from others. Mine isn’t the only voice in the IBD community. If you ever come across a good video or make one yourself, tell me about it!
Third, the translation project is continuing forward, as many internationals are finding the translated videos very beneficial. But it takes a long time to translate videos, so if you can help in any way let me know!
Fourth, I need some more community-submitted material. You’ve heard me talk about the Gutbending Declaration before. The first video has gotten lots of positive responses from people, so if you’ve lived with an ostomy make the declaration and send me your video!
Additionally, I’m looking for any kind of artwork to display alongside mine that has something to do with healing from disease. I know there are artists out there so send me your work.
Finally, I want to call you to action to consider supporting Camp Oasis. This is a great outreach for children and any money you can give to these camps is greatly appreciated!
I think that’s all! Again, let me know if you have any questions, comments, or suggestions! Help me continue to make this site the number one video education site online for inflammatory bowel disease!
Keep fighting,
~Dennis
