038 - Growing Up With Crohn’s Disease: “I asked for the ostomy bag” - Terri Brannigan

From 60 toilet trips a day to fitness racing, Terri Brannigan's story is one of resilience, courage, and reclaiming life after Crohn's disease.In this episode of The Survival Project, Jonathan sits down with Crohn's disease advocate, ostomate, and fitness enthusiast Terri Brannigan to discuss her journey from being diagnosed with Crohn's at just 15 years old to making the life-changing decision to undergo ostomy surgery at 28.Terri opens up about growing up with chronic illness, the embarrassment and isolation of living with severe symptoms as a teenager, years of hospital visits, failed medications, major surgery, and the emotional toll Crohn's disease can take on every aspect of life.She shares the moment she realised she could no longer continue living the way she was, why she chose an ostomy, and how that decision ultimately gave her the freedom to rebuild her life.Today, Terri is completing fitness challenges, participating in Tryka events, facilitating ostomy support groups with Crohn's & Colitis Ireland, and helping others navigate life with IBD and an ostomy.In this episode:Growing up with Crohn's disease as a teenagerThe challenges of diagnosis and treatmentLiving with severe Crohn's symptomsSurgery, stomas, and life after an ostomyMental health and chronic illnessFitness, strength training, and recoveryBody confidence and self-acceptanceOstomy support groups and communityAdvocacy, resilience, and rebuilding life after illnessWhether you're living with Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis, an ostomy, IBD, or supporting someone who is, this conversation is filled with honesty, hope, and practical insight.If you enjoyed this episode, please follow, rate, and share The Survival Project. IG: @thesurvivalprojectpodTerri's IG: livin_the_stoma_bag_life#CrohnsDisease #IBD #Ostomy #Stoma #UlcerativeColitis #ChronicIllness #InvisibleIllness #MentalHealth #FitnessJourney #TheSurvivalProject