Meet the team - Kev

Other than the occasional mishap after a dodgy curry (entirely my fault) or a stomach ache after eating too much (also, entirely my own doing) I've never experienced the discomfort of IBS.

So why am I on the IBS-Life team?

Because even though IBS doesn't affect me 'directly' it has had a HUGE impact on my life 'indirectly'.

I live with people who suffer from the condition. Sian is my partner and we've been together for approx 10 years now.

During that time I think I've only had one or two holidays with her, and even those were spent locked away in another house or caravan other than where we live. I always have to take into consideration how she'll cope when ever I try to plan getting her to go out.

Living with someone who suffers from IBS can make it very difficult to do anything that involves leaving the house (at least doing things together) and I've often had to avoid social engagements and make excuses for not being able to attend functions whenever people expected Sian and I to be there.

Sian and I would often get invites to go places and we'd always have to make up some kind of excuse as to why we couldn't go. Needless to say the invites stopped coming and I got out less and less.

I've had to change my whole way of life to accommodate the situation.

I spent more of my time trying to find things to do in the house and usually ended up either sat in front of the TV watching films or playing on my games consoles.

Ironically, I also meet up with Rick through one of my other hobbies, filmmaking, (he was also Sians brother's best friend in school, they grew up together) and then I find out he's got IBS too!! (I must be an IBS magnet!)

So, there you have it... I have a girlfriend and a friend who both suffer from IBS and I'm the odd one out. But even though I don't have the condition, I have to Live with the challenges that irritable Bowel Syndrome puts people through on a daily basis.

Ultimately, my being here will, I hope, give you a different point of view from the perspective of the people who live with IBS sufferers.

will also share stories of my experiences and I hope to offer helpful advice which IBS sufferers and their friends & families will find useful (or at the very least fun to try out).

All the best

Kev d;-)

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