thegreatbowelmovement.org

Ask Me About My T-Shirt

Stand proud with your disease!  These awesome t-shirts help empower patients and friends to start a conversation about IBD.  This has a profound and unique impact on Crohn’s and Colitis awareness that is so important.

As you know, around 1.4 million Americans has IBD.  When you start asking around, you’ll find that nearly everyone knows someone else with Crohn’s or Colitis.  In fact, that’s part of the basis of the Great Bowel Movement.

Wearing your disease on your shirt sends a few awesome messages: you are literally telling people to ask you about IBD! (I know, that’s obvious!)  But not everyone is comfortable discussing their disease, especially with strangers.  That’s OK, as there is definitely a process to becoming comfortable, and even more to be willing to share.  But when you get to that point, you’re a living, walking example of the positive, inspiring side of things, and showing that it’s nothing to be ashamed of.

You’re also becoming a face for all the others that have IBD.  Countless more are walking around your very own community!  Just wearing a shirt out and about allows you to become the spokesperson for the commonality of our diseases.  Crohn’s and Colitis don’t have to be gross or embarrassing, if we don’t let them.  We also don’t have to leave the few celebrities who stand up for our cause to be the poster men and women…we can take that responsibility on our own!

Starting the conversation allows others with Crohn’s and Colitis to know that it’s ok to approach you and talk to you.  Sometimes, those who need to talk the most are the ones who believe they are alone with their disease.  A few minutes of open conversation can literally change a life.

Finally, we introduced the “My — Has IBD” shirts, because we know that just because those who don’t have IBD are still affected by it.  This is a great way for your family, friends, classmates, co-workers, clients, doctors, etc to get involved.  It also challenges everyone to look into their social circles and find out who they know with IBD!

If you’re interested in a shirt, but you’re not sure about the conversations that are sure to follow, please view our Awareness Kit (http://www.thegreatbowelmovement.org/gbm-awareness-kit.html).  Check out a few of the features such as the Write Your Own IBD story questionnaire, and the IBD fact sheet.  Be prepared for when the conversation happens!

You can see the designs and order online: http://www.thegreatbowelmovement.org/ibd-tshirts.html

Be sure to send in your photo of you in your shirt!