It's All About the Crohn's: Ashton's Recovery Fund
Donation protected
Hey everyone,
I'm reaching out to let you all know that my health has unfortunately taken a turn again for the worse. The medical costs related to treatment have put me in a position to reluctantly ask for support.
As some of you know, I am a 37 year old transgender male with Crohn's disease living in Halifax, Nova Scotia. I've been living a good life that I've worked hard to make for myself. However, Crohn's disease has a mind of its own. Being transgender, the health care system can be a challenge. Navigating this system while also struggling with chronic illness has been a battle.
I was diagnosed with Crohn's disease at age 16. Since then it has affected every aspect of my life. I tried to live a “normal” life, graduating high school, playing hockey, and going to university in Montreal, but my health continuously presented a challenge. It was in Montreal that my health took a drastic turn leading to a month long hospital admission. The doctors didn’t think I was going to make it and had my parents fly up to say goodbye. A specialist put me on a biological drug called Remicade that wasn’t available in Nova Scotia at the time. It was because of this medication that I was able to pull through. I was on this medication from 2004-2008, giving me back some quality of life.
In 2008 I moved back to Halifax to be closer to family and friends. It was then discovered that my body was building up a resistance to the Remicade. I was hospitalized again and put on a stronger combination of medications, Humira and Methotrexate. The cost of these medications is very high. Unable to work, I was only able to afford the treatment because I was on assistance/disability. This combination was successful for a number of years until again, my body formed a resistance to both drugs.
In 2014 it was discovered that my bowels had intercepted. This meant my heart was unable to receive any nutrients, leading to a small heart attack. I was admitted for emergency surgery. In the hospital they informed me that I had maxed out all therapy, and my final option was a bowel resection.
The date of my bowel resection was June 21, 2015. They removed 48” of small bowel, and 12” of large bowel, my appendix, and repaired a fistula. This was a month long recovery in the hospital, plus 2 months of VON care at home.
Following this surgery I had 5 beautiful symptom free years of life. My quality of life improved, I was able to get off assistance and begin my career in harm reduction/addiction support- a job I am very passionate about. I slowly learned to love life again without the anxiety about being in public and trying to locate a washroom as well as forming a new relationship with food that had become so toxic over the years I was sick.
Covid had presented many struggles, including an increased cost of living. I am a single individual with one income. It is really difficult for me to put myself out there like this, as I'm not one to reach for help. Sometimes my own independence can be a weakness, but I can't do this on my own. I have a great support system, just not financially. Anything to help towards my cause would be an incredible gift towards my mental and physical health. I never thought I'd be in a position to need this type of support.
Funds raised would be towards offsetting the cost of the new treatment plan as well as essentials like vitamins, supplements, dietary plans, and all other costs related to medical treatment.
A donation of any kind is greatly appreciated. If you can't make a donation, a share on Instagram, Twitter, or Facebook counts just as much.
Thank you,
Ashton
I'm reaching out to let you all know that my health has unfortunately taken a turn again for the worse. The medical costs related to treatment have put me in a position to reluctantly ask for support.
As some of you know, I am a 37 year old transgender male with Crohn's disease living in Halifax, Nova Scotia. I've been living a good life that I've worked hard to make for myself. However, Crohn's disease has a mind of its own. Being transgender, the health care system can be a challenge. Navigating this system while also struggling with chronic illness has been a battle.
I was diagnosed with Crohn's disease at age 16. Since then it has affected every aspect of my life. I tried to live a “normal” life, graduating high school, playing hockey, and going to university in Montreal, but my health continuously presented a challenge. It was in Montreal that my health took a drastic turn leading to a month long hospital admission. The doctors didn’t think I was going to make it and had my parents fly up to say goodbye. A specialist put me on a biological drug called Remicade that wasn’t available in Nova Scotia at the time. It was because of this medication that I was able to pull through. I was on this medication from 2004-2008, giving me back some quality of life.
In 2008 I moved back to Halifax to be closer to family and friends. It was then discovered that my body was building up a resistance to the Remicade. I was hospitalized again and put on a stronger combination of medications, Humira and Methotrexate. The cost of these medications is very high. Unable to work, I was only able to afford the treatment because I was on assistance/disability. This combination was successful for a number of years until again, my body formed a resistance to both drugs.
In 2014 it was discovered that my bowels had intercepted. This meant my heart was unable to receive any nutrients, leading to a small heart attack. I was admitted for emergency surgery. In the hospital they informed me that I had maxed out all therapy, and my final option was a bowel resection.
The date of my bowel resection was June 21, 2015. They removed 48” of small bowel, and 12” of large bowel, my appendix, and repaired a fistula. This was a month long recovery in the hospital, plus 2 months of VON care at home.
Following this surgery I had 5 beautiful symptom free years of life. My quality of life improved, I was able to get off assistance and begin my career in harm reduction/addiction support- a job I am very passionate about. I slowly learned to love life again without the anxiety about being in public and trying to locate a washroom as well as forming a new relationship with food that had become so toxic over the years I was sick.
Covid had presented many struggles, including an increased cost of living. I am a single individual with one income. It is really difficult for me to put myself out there like this, as I'm not one to reach for help. Sometimes my own independence can be a weakness, but I can't do this on my own. I have a great support system, just not financially. Anything to help towards my cause would be an incredible gift towards my mental and physical health. I never thought I'd be in a position to need this type of support.
Funds raised would be towards offsetting the cost of the new treatment plan as well as essentials like vitamins, supplements, dietary plans, and all other costs related to medical treatment.
A donation of any kind is greatly appreciated. If you can't make a donation, a share on Instagram, Twitter, or Facebook counts just as much.
Thank you,
Ashton
Organizer and beneficiary
Julia Collier
Organizer
Halifax Upper Harbour, NS
Ashton Manktelow
Beneficiary