I love TGBM. It's a wonderful community of people as well as informative. I'm very grateful for its presence on fb.
As a sister to someone struggling with Crohn's disease, I'm always looking to find help for him and my family. This group gives a voice to conditions that are rarely spoken about. That voice is so powerful to anyone seeking comfort. I'm so thankful for the group and all the positive things they do.
I stumbled upon GBM through social media and it has certainly given me a sense of community. Wearing their T shirts is one of the best ways to spread awareness. The passion and dedication for the work they do certainly shows through this organization. Their efforts are appreciated and I hope to see them grow and continue to raise awareness in the upcoming year!
This group is using their great skills with language to help raise awareness of Crohn's and Colitis. They have constructed brochures that are very factual, fun and easy to understand. As a crohn's patient, I feel as though they are representing our community in a great way. I love the shirt i bought. I also think the individual who blog are inspirational, truthful and understanding. This group is present in other parts of the Crohn's community, such as Camp Oasis as well. KEEP UP THE GREAT WORK!
I've been lucky enough to meet GBM at two events in Chicago and attend another in Fort Wayne, Indiana. They do a great job to spread awareness with informative blogs and help on topics ranging from school, to work, to dating. During events they provide non-pressure and non-fundraising situations for us to just enjoy a "normal" night out with others that share IBD.
The GBM is an excellent organization dedicated to raising awareness for IBD and providing the community with the latest IBD news and research. They are very creative in their mission shown in their awareness T-shirts and have a non-stop passion for helping those with IBD. Very highly recommend.
A wonderful wonderful organization!!! They have been such a blessing in my journey with Crohn's Disease. Not only do they educate the public (I had no idea what Crohn's was until I was diagnosed) but they also encourage people with IBD to OWN IT! They encourage us daily to spread awareness and change the stigma of these diseases. They are warm and accepting and have such a positive outlook. I wish every type of chronic illness had an organization such as this one!
I am a mom of a son with Crohn's x 27 years, who has been through about every complication, both with the disease physically -- surgeries, fistula, fungal infection from a med, gallbladder, countless meds -- and also emotionally - trying to hold onto a job, social isolation, wife who left. This site is invaluable for its educational aspect and it's support - not only for those who live with this every day but for those who love them. I cannot say enough good things about The Great Bowel Movement.
I've only known about the GBM for a few short months. I was diagnosed with CD in September 2013. Since then I've had two operation and far to many complication to list. As anyone who has IBD or anyone close to you knows what a isolating and lonely disease this can be. Not only does it beat me up physically it also beats me up emotionally. I LOVE this site!!!! It keeps me well informed and reminds me I am not alone. I especially love my ASK ME t-shirt. Some days we need to give ourselves a great big hug and remember we are doing the best we can and this shirt reminds me of that.
Thanks for everything you do!!
I can't say enough about this site. For years I suffered in silence with debilitating symptoms, too ashamed to tell a doctor. By the time I was diagnosed I was so sick at 20 years old that I thought I'd never get better. I felt so alone and I felt I had no where to turn. These folks have helped change all of that. The pays and interactions with others through this site truly changed how I cope with my IBD. It also gave me a way to educate others on my condition. I really, truly wish everyone diagnosed with IBD finds this site first because it changes everything.
I was diagnosed with UC in December of 2012. I had no clue what UC was or what my next step would be. I owe The Great Bowel Movement a big thank you for helping me with my journey so far. I like how they spread awareness not just to fellow IBDers but also to others who do not suffer from IBD. Their topics that are posted on Facebook are incredibly helpful as well! I love the way they have incorporated "Ask Me About My IBD" apparel onto their website for purchase. The apparel alone starts some interesting topics when worn out and about. I highly appreciate The Great Bowel Movement and what they do for people like me.
I "celebrate" my 10 year diagnosis of IBD next year. Great Bowel Movement was a part of my journey to acceptance living with it. Not only does this non-profit use their merchandise as a great opportunity to provide awareness & promote acceptance, but they spend each day trying to educate others feature others blogs on their websites, educational & relevant material for those just newly diagnosed, a "seasoned" patient or a family member/loved one just trying to gain better understanding.
I've gotten to know each of the staff a little more each month & I could not be more excited for what is in store for each of them and each of the people they serve, with or without IBD. Not only are they each professionals dealing with Crohn's or colitis, but they take the time to chat individually and ensure they are able to provide the educational resources you may need.
Not to mention, they have figuratively the BIGGEST hearts in the world. If I have to live 10 more years on earth with this disease, I'm certainly glad to have GBM in my corner.
Not only are Megan and Andrea great people, but they've found a wonderful way to utilize their creativity to become a recognizable brand. The conversations that have started because of their products, leads towards raising awareness and acceptance. They truly care about people in the IBD community, as well as giving back.
Megan and Andrea are amazing. They have started conversations for the IBD and non-IBD community to have. They have made digestive diseases empowering allowing all voices to be heard. The GBM has been a huge asset to me during times of hardship with IBD. The GBM including Megan and Andrea have inspired me to become more involved in the IBD community. They have taught me the importance of telling one's story to let others know that they are no alone. Recently becoming a blogger for the GBM, I have learned how much of an impact sharing one's story can be. The GBM is an amazing organization that has allowed people with IBD to speak about their disease in a fun and empowering way.
For the longest time, I didn't really talk about my Ulcerative Colitis. I didn't know anyone who had it either. After a really bad time health wise that included a hospital stay, medication changes, and my diagnosis changing to Crohn's disease, I knew I had to reach out and find some support and community-- meeting Andrea and learning about The Great Bowel Movement was very cathartic for me. I immediately felt drawn into a supportive, informative and fun group of people I knew I could count on. It also encouraged me to start talking about educating others about IBD. Just other night, while wearing my "Ask Me About My Crohn's Disease" shirt, I had such a great conversation with my two young daughters about this disease and why it is important to talk about it. I cannot thank you enough for that!
I first met Megan and Andrea (founders of The Great Bowel Movement) at Camp Oasis, a week-long summer camp for kids with Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD). It's a great program that allows kids to experience a level of normalcy and acceptance that can be hard to find in their daily lives. Megan and Andrea were two of the most welcoming counselors there. They made campers and staff alike feel comfortable talking about the disease we all shared. I quickly learned of the work they'd been doing with their organization, The Great Bowel Movement. My week working alongside them left me in awe! Despite suffering from IBD themselves, they were so giving of their time and energy to help others.
After camp ended, I was inspired by Megan and Andrea to get more involved in the IBD community. I started taking part in discussions on a number of online forums; most notably, The Great Bowel Movement's. I found Megan and Andrea to be great at facilitating open dialogue among the IBD community. I'd been living with severe IBD for over 20 years, and I'd never met anyone that could make people so comfortable with talking about their disease like the two of them. One of their slogans is "making Crohn's and Colitis cool since 2010", and they definitely live up to it. If you read their forum, you will find people who are proud to talk about their condition; people who used to be ashamed by it. With my participation in their forum, I started feeling more hopeful about not only my own future, but the future of everyone living with this disease.
Several weeks after camp, Megan suggested I join her and Andrea in the annual Midwest IBD Ride (a fund/awareness-raiser and bicycle ride). It was short notice; I would only have two weeks to raise funds and prepare myself for the ride. I was doubtful, but Megan was very encouraging so I signed up. Megan and Andrea's friends and family came out to support me both financially and emotionally. With their help, I was able to raise $1490 for IBD Research and Advocacy groups! I then rode 150 miles alongside Megan and others living with IBD. It was a great experience for me. I learned a lot about myself and how good it feels to be supported by a community of people that understand what I'm going through.
After the IBD Ride, I continued to participate in The Great Bowel Movement's online discussions- answering questions and giving advice when I could. Eventually, with my involvement becoming a regular thing, Megan and Andrea asked me to join their organization! I can't fully describe what an honor it is for me to be a part of such a wonderful cause! It has been a really pivotal year for me, and I've grown so much as a person because of my relationship with The Great Bowel Movement. I've gained a new perspective on my experience growing up severely ill, and I see now the good I can do for others because of it. It's given me the strength to reach out to more people living with IBD, especially kids. This summer, I'm volunteering at two different chapters of Camp Oasis (Wisconsin and Michigan). I will be able to show even more kids that they can lead a wonderful life even though they have a serious illness.
Megan and Andrea are a big inspiration to me and many others. They not only raise awareness of IBD, they also educate the public. They have given people from all walks of life a place to turn for guidance and hope when the burden of this disease is too much to bare alone. They have made an often embarrassing and scary illness into something to be proud of! They've shown so many of us the strength we all have when we share our illness with each other.
They have helped so many people through The Great Bowel Movement, even while working full time jobs, without asking for anything in return. I hope Megan and Andrea can continue to reach all their goals, because I believe we are only beginning to see the greatness they are capable of.
Ever since I was diagnosed with Crohn's Dosease in 2004, I have been on a mission to advocate for myself (as a patient in the medical world) and to educate others about Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD). The GBM has been an inspiration to me on this journey. The founders of the GBM have created a platform to educate, inspire and empower individuals living with IBD. They have filled an unmet need in the IBD world for an informal, yet extremely professional Crohn's Disease and Ulcerstive Colitis community. The merchandise they have created such as their t-shirts that read, "Ask me about my Crohn's/Colitis/osteomy" and "IBD can't stop me," give patients an opportunity to publicly demonstrate that they are "bigger" than their disease. Unlike other organizations committed to IBD awareness, the GBM strives to translate patients' resilience into a strong sense of individual empowerment and a desire to educate others about IBD. Andrea and Megan are role models, true mensches and work incredibly hard to inspire IBD patients of all ages. I think that much of the IBD community would agree that the GBM is an inspirational non-profit that is truly inspiring, educating and changing patients' outlook on their disease.
I absolutely love The Great Bowel Movement. Not only have I come in contact with some amazing people who share IBD, but the "Ask Me About My..." clothes are a great ice breaker to help educate people about IBD. When I'm having a particularly bad day, I know that I will get love and support from the people on the Facebook page. And I also really enjoy doing the same for others! What's inspiring me to me is that the founders of GBM are both IBD patients, and run this amazing organization on top of full time jobs! There are days when I feel like I don't have the strength to do anything, and I think about how devoted they are to all of us. Keep it up, ladies!!!
As a IBD researcher, I love that The Great Bowel Movement not only enables people to share their experiences with Crohn's and colitis but that GBM promotes and gives back to other IBD-related charities. I interact with IBD patients in several states and I'm always excited to see them wearing "Ask me about my colitis/Crohn's/J-pouch" t-shirts. Their website not only gives patients a forum to ask questions, but is excellent at phrasing IBD patients' concerns in a way that can give non-patients a way to relate to our disease.
As a medical professional, I find that The Great Bowel Movement encompasses so many aspects of IBD. My patients really find the information that they receive useful and a great support. Andrea and Megan are truly compassionate about this cause and it shows in all that they do. I am proud of these girls and grateful for all that they have done.
I've struggled with serious self-confidence issues throughout the course of my journey with Crohn's disease and now a permanent ostomy, but eventually I realized that my struggle with IBD should not involve feelings of shame every time the topic arises in conversation. My Great Bowel Movement clothing allows me to connect with fellow IBD patients as well as people who have questions about IBD, and the organization's contributions to online communities consistently make me smile. Their humor is delightful, because while they understand the severity of the diseases they represent, they can find a way to make light of issues that many of us find all too familiar. Their commitment to spreading good information and promoting reliable resources is sorely needed for all the IBD people out there desperately searching for useful answers to the questions we all have about coping with our chronic health conditions. Using clothing, fun accessories, and regular contributions to online communities, GBM sparks conversations and creates bonds that help us reclaim our dignity, stand up for each other, and show the world that we are awesome.
As a medical provider, the Great Bowel Movement has been fantastic a fantastic partner. They use innovative ways to increase IBD awareness, reduce stigma, and bring the most up-to-date and accurate information to people living with IBD. A ndrea and Megan are some of the hardest working people I know, genuine, and down to earth. While they work very hard, their success doesn't go to their heads. I would encourage any health care provider who works with IBD patients to reach out to the GBM and tell your patients about them!
I have been on the Board of a local Cycling Tour event that has been riding for nearly 5 years now. One of the Co-Founders of The Great Bowel Movement had attended our ride over a year ago and we all hit it off right away. You could tell immediately that she has more passion and drive to help both kids and adults than some of the larger organizations combined. She not only wanted to help us in our fight to get the word out regarding Crohn's & Colitis but helped us gain focus on the best practices to do so. Since then GBM has been working with our ride to assist us in our goals of serving those who are afflicted with Crohn's, Colitis, and other IBD's. They have worked hard to help our ride be the most successful we have ever been. With the support and further guidance of those at GBM we have been able to generate more excitement about our ride and our fundraising has been 100 times better. Not only that but they have really helped us gain our focus of how to help those truly in need. With all of their passion and drive they have swoop our ride up to facilitate another way for them and us to give back. We look forward to a continued relationship/partnership with GBM for many years to come.
I have had Crohns Disease since 1988. Throughout the years I never wanted to admit what I had due to being too embarresed. I stumbled upon The GBM at a time when I was finally accepting my disease and starting to open up to the world. Their "Ask Me About.." clothing line helped me open up about my disease not only to the general public but to myself.
Another great thing about this company is that they give back to the world. They take some of their profits and donate them to other charities. The best part is they let their customers and followers pick and vote on which charity to use. They show a compassion not only to people with IBD but anyone with an ailment.
Lastly, I got to meet one of the founders, Megan, recently and she was one of the nicest people I have ever met. She was warm and friendly and I felt like I knew her for many years. She has such a warm heart and it shows in the work she does.
After struggling for 12 years with ulcerative colitis, I finally came across the GBM's fb page and it was there that I figured out what I needed - a support system and an organization that would help me feel empowered enough to be able to advocate for my disease on my own. This foundation has been utterly life changing for me, and has helped me to feel confident enough to find my own voice in the IBD/ostomy community. I have looked into a wide range of organizations in this community and this is truly one of the ONLY ones I have found that manages to educate, empower, find humor in the disease without minimizing what so many suffer with, keep the business aspect of it, all while creating an amazing network of support. I cannot say enough wonderful things about the GBM, the co founders, and the amazing work they do. Thank you Megan and Andrea for all your hard work!
When my son was first diagnosed with Inflammatory Bowel Disease I had no idea what it was. GBM was one of the first sources I found on the internet with resources and information I needed in order to be able to help my son! They provide a huge amount of support for the IBD, Crohn's, and Colitis community!
I absolutely LOVE The Great Bowel Movement and I highly suggest it for patients, caregivers, and those who want to know more about IBD, Crohn's, and Colitis.
GBM is not only a great source of support for patients of IBD and ostomies, but also a fantastic source of inspiration for us as we learn the importance of advocacy and to get out there and live a full life (which can be difficult for patients of IBD).
Additionally, this nonprofit has such a positive and helpful client base who come together in support for one another.
GBM is truly a great resource to have for patients of IBD.
There's no doubt GBM has changed my life for the better.
I have struggled for years with Ulcerative Colitis and through everything I didn't think I needed support and I didn't know that any one can be an advocate until I discovered The Great Bowel Movement. These were ladies who had been through similar struggles and were putting there blood, sweat and tears into creating a non-profit to bring awareness, education and support to people just like us and our families too. I am proud to wear their product and support their causes I only wish I could do more, they are an inspiration!
As a therapist who sees those with Inflammatory Bowel Diseases, I highly recommend this non profit as it chips away at the ever-present stigma of a lifelong disease that people have no control over getting. In our culture, we don't talk about the bathroom or or illnesses for that matter, and the GBM is changing that so that people don't have to suffer on silence. They instead can educate those around them and proudly talk about their journey with IBD which help others. Keep up the good work!