For Madi, living with Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) has never been simple, but she’s faced the condition with courage, honesty, and resilience beyond her years.
Diagnosed with Crohn’s disease when she was just eight years old, Madi’s story is one of overcoming daily unpredictability, coping with setbacks, and finding strength through community support. Now 20 years old, Madi is sharing her experience to raise awareness and rally support for kids with the same condition by inviting you to walk in the Mighty Guts Walkathon on Sunday 18 May.
“Some days I go without even thinking of having a chronic illness. Other days, I can just wake up and know it’s going to be rough. The unpredictability of it all can really disrupt my usual activities,” Madi shares. “Missing out on things as a person with a chronic illness can really affect mental health on top of the existing effects on your physical health.”
Crohn’s disease,a type of IBD, has been part of Madi’s life since childhood. What began with a visit to the orthodontist for an overbite quickly turned into a diagnosis her family knew little about. Her mum recalls the turning point:
“We were probably not as concerned as we should have been—we had no idea really what Crohn’s was. Our day-to-day life since has been very up and down.”
Growing up, Madi missed out on many experiences others take for granted, but she also found strength in unexpected places: through the support of her teachers, friends, and family.
“I think kids with chronic illness just want to be treated the same as everyone else,” Madi says. “There’s no reason we should be treated differently. We’re equally capable of doing anything we want to.”
At school, Madi remembers how her classmates turned her daily trips to the front office for special nutrition shakes into moments of connection.
“Even though the kids may not have understood the full extent of what was happening, every kid wanted a chance to walk with me and it made me feel really supported.”
It’s this kind of compassion and togetherness that has inspired Madi to speak out about IBD and to inspire others to take part in the Mighty Guts Walkathon.
All funds raised from the Walkathon will go toward providing IBD Comfort Packs, which include thoughtful items like heat packs, personal hygiene products to ease flare-ups and other travel-friendly items. These seemingly small items make a big difference, so children feel more comfortable attending school, social events, and other daily activities without fear of unexpected symptoms.
“I absolutely love my heat pack,” Madi says. “Even when I don’t have a sore tummy, it provides me with comfort especially when I’m feeling anxious.”
The Mighty Guts Walkathon is about showing kids with IBD and their families that they are not alone. It’s an opportunity to help ease the physical and emotional load that comes with chronic illness. It’s also about spreading awareness of a condition that is still widely misunderstood.
“So many people have no idea what Crohn’s is and think it can be fixed by diet,” Madi’s mum says. “We need more people to talk about it and more support, everywhere.”
By signing up to walk, you’re contributing to a cause that helps families breathe a little easier.
“Whether it affects you, someone you love or not at all, we are so grateful for the support,” Madi says. “Taking a little time out of your weekend to help kids is a weekend very well spent.”
Let’s walk together for kids like Madi, and make sure every child facing IBD feels seen, supported, and surrounded by care.
Register yourself, your family and friends for the Mighty Guts Walkathon today:
