When someone asks how you’re feeling and you automatically say “fine,” even though your body is staging a rebellion—you know the weight of living with an invisible illness. Chris Evans from Aberdeen has been carrying this weight for a decade, and his story illuminates something many of us in the IBD community know all too well: the gap between how we look on the outside and what’s happening within.

Chris’s journey with Crohn’s disease began with symptoms that were initially dismissed as “just a bug”—a frustratingly common experience that resonates with countless IBD patients who’ve faced the challenge of being taken seriously before receiving their diagnosis.

Summary of Aberdeen man living with incurable Crohn’s disease

Chris Evans was diagnosed with Crohn’s disease ten years ago after initially experiencing severe fatigue, significant weight loss, and extreme lack of energy. What started as symptoms that were brushed off as a minor illness eventually led to multiple medical appointments and tests before the correct diagnosis was made.

Throughout his decade-long journey, Chris has undergone bowel surgery to remove affected sections and now manages his condition with weekly injections. During flare-ups, he can be bedridden for days at a time, making his daily routine unpredictable. The disease impacts not only his physical health but also his mental wellbeing and social interactions, as he must constantly consider factors like bathroom accessibility and dietary restrictions when making plans.

Despite these ongoing challenges, Chris is committed to raising awareness about Crohn’s disease and working to reduce the stigma surrounding invisible illnesses. He advocates for more open conversations about chronic conditions, emphasizing that having Crohn’s disease is nothing to be ashamed of.

This post summarizes reporting from Aberdeen man living with incurable Crohn’s disease. Our analysis represents IBD Movement’s perspective and is intended to help patients understand how this news may affect them. Read the original article for complete details.

What This Means for the IBD Community

Chris’s story serves as a powerful mirror for many of our own experiences, highlighting several critical aspects of living with IBD that deserve deeper exploration.

The Diagnostic Delay Dilemma

The fact that Chris’s symptoms were initially dismissed as “just a bug” reflects a systemic issue many IBD patients face. According to research, the average time to IBD diagnosis can range from several months to years, with patients often visiting multiple healthcare providers before receiving proper care. This delay isn’t just frustrating—it can lead to disease progression and complications that might have been preventable with earlier intervention.

For newly diagnosed individuals reading this, Chris’s experience validates the importance of persistent self-advocacy. If your gut instinct tells you something more serious is happening, trust that feeling. Keep detailed symptom logs, request specific tests, and don’t hesitate to seek second opinions when necessary.

The Surgical Reality

Chris’s experience with bowel surgery touches on a reality that many Crohn’s patients will face. Studies indicate that up to 80% of people with Crohn’s disease will require surgery at some point in their lives. While surgery can be life-changing in positive ways—often providing significant symptom relief—it also represents a major life event that requires both physical and emotional preparation.

The decision to undergo surgery is deeply personal and should always be made in close consultation with your IBD specialist. Questions to consider discussing with your healthcare team include: What are the specific benefits and risks in your case? What would recovery look like? How might surgery impact your long-term disease management strategy?

Managing the Unpredictability Factor

Perhaps one of the most challenging aspects Chris highlights is the unpredictable nature of flare-ups. Being bedridden for days at a time disrupts not just daily routines, but career trajectories, relationships, and mental health. This unpredictability can create a constant undercurrent of anxiety—never knowing when your body might demand a complete halt to your plans.

Developing coping strategies for this uncertainty becomes crucial. Many successful IBD patients build flexibility into their lives: maintaining open communication with employers about their condition, having backup plans for social events, and creating “flare kits” with comfort items and necessary supplies readily available.

The Mental Health Connection

Chris’s acknowledgment of the mental health impact reflects growing recognition within the medical community of the bidirectional relationship between IBD and psychological wellbeing. The chronic stress of managing an unpredictable illness can contribute to anxiety and depression, while psychological stress can potentially trigger physical flare-ups.

This connection underscores the importance of comprehensive care that addresses both physical and mental health. Many IBD centers now incorporate mental health professionals into their treatment teams, recognizing that optimal disease management requires attention to the whole person, not just the gut.

Social Navigation and Accessibility Planning

The practical considerations Chris mentions—constantly thinking about bathroom accessibility and dietary restrictions—represent a form of “cognitive load” that healthy individuals rarely consider. Every outing requires advance planning: researching restaurant menus, mapping out bathroom locations, considering timing around medication schedules.

This reality highlights why representation and awareness matter so much. When more people understand these daily challenges, workplaces and public spaces become more accommodating, and social gatherings become more inclusive.

The Power of Sharing Stories

Perhaps most importantly, Chris’s willingness to share his story openly represents a crucial step in reducing stigma around invisible illnesses. When public figures or community members speak candidly about their IBD experiences, it creates permission for others to do the same.

This openness serves multiple purposes: it helps newly diagnosed individuals feel less alone, it educates the broader public about chronic illness realities, and it builds a stronger, more connected community of people who truly understand each other’s experiences.

Research consistently shows that peer support and community connection significantly improve outcomes for people with chronic conditions. When we share our stories—both the struggles and the victories—we create a web of understanding that benefits everyone.

Chris’s journey with Crohn’s disease illustrates both the challenges and the resilience that define the IBD experience. His commitment to raising awareness reminds us that our stories have power—not just to heal ourselves, but to create understanding and hope for others walking similar paths. In a world where invisible illnesses are often misunderstood or overlooked, voices like Chris’s serve as beacons of authenticity and courage.

IBD Movement provides information for educational purposes only. This content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.