Suffield Man Diagnosed With Ulcerative Colitis Walks for Cure

From the Crohn's and Colitis Foundation: Dave Roberts’ experience suffering from ulcerative colitis has been a difficult one, but he now stands as an inspiration for others as the 2017 Honored Hero for the Greater Hartford Take Steps Walk for the Crohn's and Colitis Foundation.

Dave first started experiencing inflammatory bowel symptoms four years ago. At the time, he didn’t understand what was happening or why he was feeling the way he did. After a doctor’s visit and a colonoscopy in February 2014, he was diagnosed with ulcerative colitis and was sent out the door with very little information on what this meant. Confused, Dave set out to learn more about his disease and how it would affect him.

Dave took to the internet to look for more answers. It was here that he found the Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation. The Foundation provided him with information that he was unable to get from his doctor. Shortly after discovering the Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation, Dave switched doctors, which he says greatly impacted his patient experience and changed it for the better.

Dave stands for his belief that having a good doctor, one with whom you can communicate, and the ability to control stress levels are important when it comes to living with ulcerative colitis. After experiencing a stressful work-related event, Dave suffered a symptom flare up with more severe symptoms than he had ever experienced before. This led to the discovery in January 2015 that ulcerative colitis was now impacting approximately two-thirds of his colon. Dave has since reached remission with his symptoms though work with his doctor and changes in his medication regimen. The struggles he endured taught him that worrying about the little things in life aren’t worth the stress that can take a toll on the body. Dave states, “Stress management is a very important factor with inflammatory bowel disease and I think I have been successful in making progress in processing things differently and being more positive.”

Dave makes the best of his situation and, for this, he is an inspiration to others. Dave loves staying active and traveling, activities that he doesn’t take for granted. His work as a CPA and Partner in audit practice for Crowe Horwath, LLP in Simsbury, CT, one of the Greater Hartford Take Steps sponsors, has taken him to over 30 states in the U.S. and to Grand Cayman multiple times. He also travels with his family to the Berkshires and the Florida Gulf Coast.

Dave believes that perseverance and a good attitude will overcome the struggles ulcerative colitis presents. Dave says, “I have never let having ulcerative colitis completely stop me from doing anything.” He encourages open discussion amongst inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) patients to promote mutual support. Dave says, “With discussion comes understanding and, as anyone who suffers with IBD knows, often there is not a level of understanding of our conditions.”

Dave and his family and friends have formed the Crohnies and Colitis Fighters team for the Greater Hartford Take Steps walk. The walk will take place on Sunday, May 21, at Rentschler Field in East Hartford. The team’s goal is to raise $7,500 to support the mission of the Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation. Dave states, “It excites me every day to see the ever-increasing number of treatment options for IBD patients and I am hopeful some day in my life time to see a cure!”

The Crohnies and Colitis Fighters will be hosting a paint night fundraiser on Sunday, April 9, at Chicago Sam’s in Enfield, CT. There are 40 seats available and tickets are $35 with $17 being donated to the Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation. The event is family-friendly and children are welcome. There will be prize drawings; tickets are $1 each, $15 for 20, and $30 for 45. There will also be a premium prize drawing of $5 each for a chance to win a pair of Red Socks tickets. To sign up for the paint night please visit, http://www.creativemartini.com... and click on the Event Schedule tab. If you are unable to attend the event but would like to support Dave and his team, donations can be made online at http://online.ccfa.org/goto/droberts.

For more information on how to get involved with the Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation Greater Hartford Take Steps Walk please visit www.cctakesteps.org/greaterhar..

Photo courtesy of the the Crohn's and Colitis Foundation