Blogger, Community engagement manager, Social media moderator, and patient advocate consultant in MedTech & Healthcare.

My name is Sahara, and I was diagnosed with ulcerative colitis, a form of inflammatory bowel disease, in 2007 at 19 years old. Seven bowel surgeries later, I’m on my third and final ileostomy following a jpouch excision in 2018. I also live with fibromyalgia and bladder muscle dysfunction – overactive. At times, my journey has been challenging. I’ve battled mental health issues such as stress, anxiety, depression, and medical trauma.

I’m passionate about raising awareness and encouraging people to get involved in their healthcare decisions. I want to be the type of person I needed when I was diagnosed and struggling. I founded IBDSuperHeroes; an IBD support group and awareness project.

I believe education is critical when it comes to managing health, so I deep dive into scientific journal papers about my conditions.

I work with companies who want to learn more about the patient journey; through healthcare and beyond, and get involved in research wherever I can – check out the Work with me page for more information.

On a personal level, I’m constantly striving to find a good balance between work and life. Finding joy in everyday matters, and for me, that includes my partner, dogs, yoga, houseplants, and a hefty dose of nature. I feel truly at peace when I’m gardening, fingers in the dirt, surrounded by plants, being reminded of where I came from and where I’ll end up.

IBD taught me my priorities and not to take things for granted.
My jpouch taught me that the grass isn’t always greener on the other side, and I don’t have to do everything alone.
My stoma taught me what kind of person I want to be, and what kind of people I want to be with.
Anxiety, stress, and depression taught me that my mind is fragile, and needs constant care and consideration.
Fibromyalgia taught me that I know my body best, to listen, and to fight for it.
Gardening taught me patience, and that you can do everything right and still fail.
Nature taught me that the world doesn’t revolve around me. There’s something so much bigger at play. Beautiful, relentless, almost magical. 🌱
Yoga taught me that an act as simple as breathing can be very powerful and that slowing down doesn’t have to be a negative thing. 

I will always be a work in progress. Always learning. Always growing. Always eternally hopeful ✨