We've been getting to know ICN staff members through our imPACt ImproveCareNow network series (last time we talked with Chris Keck about why storytelling matters). In this episode, join Caitlyn, Vanessa and Fionna for a chat with Sydney Bogardus who supported the PAC and the PFAC (Patient/Family Advisory Council) for several years before taking on another role in ICN.

Join Vanessa, Hannah and Fionna for their conversation about IBD during different stages of schooling. Between the three, they have lived experiences with both Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis, with being diagnosed at different life stages (during early education and in high school) and with balancing high school, college and grad school with IBD.

“If you just sit and give folks a list of facts, they can debate those facts or try to refute them. They can't debate your story. Because it's your story." - Chris Keck on the imPACt Podcast 

Join Vanessa, Becky and Fionna for their conversation with Chris Keck from ImproveCareNow. We discuss storytelling - particularly personal narratives - and why stories matter.

Join me (Autumn), Henry & Samantha for a conversation about medical trauma in IBD with ICN SWAP (Social Workers & Psychologists) group members Dr. Jennie David (licensed clinical pediatric IBD psychologist) and Dr. Alexandra Fuss. We are honored to have them join us to discuss this important topic.

The PAC released episode 1 of our imPACt podcast on February 28, 2021. Join Vanessa and Fionna as they celebrate one year of imPACt and chat about some of their favorite parts of podcasting, share which episodes they like the most, and talk about where the podcast may be headed in the future.

One of the opportunities that active PAC members have is to work on the creation of PAC toolkits. These resources cover many different topics related to life with IBD, but they all share one important thing in common - they are for patients, by patients. 

LOOP is an important venue for our community to keep #TalkingAboutIBD. It’s a place where #StoriesMatter - where they connect us, grow our confidence, validate our experiences, remind us we are not alone, and motivate us to continue improving together.

So far, in 2021, 70 stories have been shared #InTheLOOP. Patients, clinicians, parents, dietitians, researchers, and staff & leaders from across the ICN Community have written about IBD from their unique perspectives. They have covered topics ranging from support and advocacy to the importance of sharing openly and talking about IBD, from research and innovative projects to personal struggles, triumphs and hopes for the future.

Without further ado, here are the stories you read the most in 2021!

Each year, December 1-7 is set aside as Crohn's and Colitis Awareness Week - a time to talk about IBD and raise awareness and understanding of Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis. 

Since we're in the month of gratitude, the PAC wanted to take time to recognize and say thanks for the amazing support we've received.

Hi, it's Vanessa from the PAC! School is busy right now, but fellow-PAC-member, Fionna and I made time to sit down and record a podcast episode where we chat about personal experiences we've each had changing our IBD treatment plans and how this fits into school and life for us.