A commercial about Crohn's!

Brandon, I haven't seen the commercial yet, but there is an article about him on the Crohn's and Colitis website. www.ccfa.org

It's about time more awareness is raised!

I haven't seen it yet! I am very happy to hear of some awareness too.

Yep, saw it several times now.

I have seen it a few times as well both during the day and in the evening. Also, I've heard a few mentions of Crohn's disease on the show House. No patients with it yet, but it's still strange to hear it mentioned. :)

I have seen it and though it only promotes going to the web site and finding out what treatments are available I think it paints a rosey picture of the disease. Heres the guy able to play football again. I doubt if they had removed as much of his insides as Randy that he would be anything more than a bench warmer. Perhaps I am overly sensitive but I am tired of being told I dont look ill and asked how I could be disabled.

I saw the ad during normal hours too. I was really surprised someone could have CD and be a pro football player.
The site is sponsored by Centocor, so there is an ulterior motive. Still, it was nice to see SOMETHING in the way of public awareness of this disease. I am honestly shocked how little most health care professionals know about it, let alone the general populous. Going to the dentist, for instance, its like I'm educating them for the first time on this stuff.

While being a pro quarterback may be a stretch for some, there are varying degrees that some people are affected by it. Maybe he had good doctors and didn't get the run around. Getting the diagnosis correct early and starting a treatment plan probably kept him in good health.

There was also a kicker a bunch of years ago who I believed played with a colostomy bag. Personally, I think it should give us all hope that life doesn't have to be the pits. Yes, because of his job, he has access to the very best doctors and probably does get shot full of crap if he is flaring close to a game, but still the fact that he is out there every week, is amazing. I know for my daughters, who fear that they will get the Dx one day, seeing someone like that gives them a little peace of mind that maybe it isn't the end of the world if they do get Crohn's.

gerrard did have almost 2 ft of his intestines removed and I, for one, am inspired by him. Also - every time he scores a touchdown this season $10,000 is donated to the ccfa. I think it's great. He may not represent the average man's outcome but he does represent hope.

Let's not be so quick to judge. David Gerrard is an inspiration to me and should be for all of us trying to obtain a normal life. One of the first things that I have learned since being diagnosed with Crohn's disease, is not to compare myself others with this disease. Last year during the playoffs, they did a halftime special on Gerrard and his story. When he was originally diagnosed, he was a backup quarterback to Byron Leftwich. His surgery came along with his diagnosis and was very difficult for him. He nearly retired and lost a lot of weight and muscle. Luckily, he was able to get his Crohn's into remission very quickly and started his rehab. He talked about how hard it was for him to rehab and that he was lucky that he was in such good shape before he had his first flare. He is in complete remission, but it took him over a season to come back fully. He probably would not be where he is at today if the starting quarterback, Leftwich, would not have gotten hurt and Gerrard was forced into action. He did such a good job that Leftwich was let go and Gerrard is the man. He has done a ton of work for the CCFA and summer camps for kids with Crohn's disease. I look up to him for being able to talk about our disease and not being afraid to bring it to public awareness. It is easy to talk about bowel movements when you are online or in a doctors office, but put yourself in his situation. I am sure that it is not the easiest of subjects to talk about on television or the locker room when you are the star player. He is risking a ton of hazing and public ridicule, but does it to help others.
Sure there will be some that question why you are disabled but don't look sick, but they are going to do this regardless of the commercial. These commercials are going to get people to possibly go to the websites and learn about our condition. Then these people will get a better understanding about what crohn's disease is and spread the word to others when comments are made. Remember any publicity good or bad is good publicity for public awareness.

I have not seen the commercial BUT.....two years ago at CCFA Camp in Ga....He came and stayed a day with us and told us his story about battling with his disease and how we too can overcome this illness. It was quite inspiring....and he signed his name tag and I got to keep it :-]!!!!

I leave it hanging on my wall in my bedroom to remind myself that no matter what happens with this disease I can still keep going and achieve great things.

God Bless.