Tag Archives: storytelling

About IBD Podcast Episode 91 Cover

About IBD Podcast Episode 91 – Derek Mari of Crohnie: It’s Not Impossible

Have you ever seen a person who lives with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) in a movie or TV show? If so: was the depiction positive or negative?

My guest is actor, writer, and filmmaker Derek Mari. Derek lives with Crohn’s disease and his IBD journey  inspired him to create a story that explores the way people cope with living with a chronic illness. He has already filmed a short film, entitled “Crohnie,” which was positively received at several film festivals (before the pandemic shut everything down).

Derek’s next project is a full-length feature film with a main character who lives with Crohn’s disease. Loosely autobiographical, it will examine the journey to acceptance of life with a chronic illness, and show how that life can be full and filled with success.  Learn more about Derek and his Crohn’s story, as well as how you can get involved in the crowdfunding program to get this film made.

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About IBD - The Power In Your IBD Story

The Power In Your IBD Story

When I asked Rosanne Mottola to come on About IBD and discuss her recent vaccination against COVID-19, I was excited that we could share her story with other people who live with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). It has been a difficult year for everyone, but people who live with Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis have also weathered a significant amount of uncertainty in regards to their health.

I also asked her to come back to briefly update me after her second dose and I thought I’d add it on as a segment of a longer episode. My intention was to understand how she felt physically and emotionally after the second shot, which wouldn’t take long. But it turns out we had more business to discuss and instead, we created another full-length episode together.

It became clear to me that Rosanne’s experience through the process of agreeing to tell her ulcerative colitis story and in creating Episode 87 with me brought up some salient issues that I’ve probably been long remiss in addressing.

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