Diagnosed with perianal Crohn's disease at just 13, Wynne (pronounced: Win) has had a challenging pathway navigating school life in between monthly trips to the BC Children's Hospital in Vancouver, surgeries and recovery, and negative reactions to disclosing her chronic illness.
That, however, hasn't hold her back in living her life to the fullest. Wynne recently was awarded a $5,000 national scholarship from Crohn's and Colitis Canada for her academic aspirations and positive impact on the Canadian inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) community.
Congratulations on your scholarships Wynne! For people not familiar with Crohn's and Colitis Canada, can you share a little bit more about the award?
You're a vocal champion and advocate for your peers in the IBD community. What motivated you to use your own experiences to help others?
When I first got my diagnosis, I was really shy and anxious about it. I feel a lot of people don't know what Crohn's disease is, and as a result, they might diminish or question the symptoms, pain and treatments. That happened a lot to me in high school. It was really hard on my mental health with classmates not understanding why I'd miss school or homework.
Luckily, my disease is better managed right now. My ostomy bag has been a life changer as it massively reduced the manifesting of abscesses, and the surgeries required to get rid of them. There's such a stigma around Crohn's disease and these bags; my experience hasn't been anything like the horror stories I read online. Inspired by Tiktokker and Ostome Fashion co-founder Paula Sojo to destigmatize ostomies, I decided to turn to TikTok as well to share my story and educate others.
And you became a mentor for young girls living with IBD.
You're in your first year of Northern Collaborative Baccalaureate Nursing Program (NCBNP) at CNC. Who or what encouraged you to go into nursing?
Since my diagnosis, I've been in the hospital a lot. Countless admissions and many overnight stays, sometimes weeks at a time. There was this one nurse who, after I got a brutal surgery for my ostomy bag, came in and braided by hair. After a week of not eating, getting up or showering, I felt like a human again. I vowed to become like her. It makes all the difference in the world to have a nurse that genuinely cares about you, validates you, and treats you like a person.
I could have gone south for my study; it would have also been easier with my health situation. But I didn't want my illness to determine where I'd go to college. Plus, I love the north! Studying at CNC allowed me to stay close to my family and friends while still getting quality education. I also enjoy the free tutoring services and I'm happy with the accommodation to take my tests in the Academic Success Centre. That way, I don't have to be worried about dealing with tummy noises or other symptoms, and I can focus on my study and becoming the best nurse in the North.
“In a way, Crohn's is giving back to me. All that I've been through isn't for nothing. I'm going to stay true to the promise I made in the scholarship application: making a positive change and becoming a local nurse.”
What are you hoping to do upon completing your four-year degree at CNC and UNBC?
Because of the severity of my Crohn's disease, I couldn't get the health care in my own community. If something was going on, I had to travel 10 hours to the emergency room in Vancouver. I want to change that by working and providing better health care here in northern B.C. I'd love to become a pediatric nurse to provide care to children facing health challenges. Or perhaps I'll specialize in pain management to care for patients with acute or chronic pain. The nursing career opportunities here are infinite!
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