Contact UsInvestorsCareersMediaScienceContact Us
HomeOur VoiceHope and Optimism While Living With Ulcerative Colitis

Wednesday, November 17, 2021

Rasheed Clarke is an optimist. He’s quick to look for the silver lining in a situation – and his commitment to seeing the good has served him well through his often-challenging journey with ulcerative colitis (UC).

“Perhaps I have been naïve, but along the way I always believed it would work out ok. There were definitely dark days but there have also been a lot of hopeful days when I’ve thought ‘I can do this’. As it turns out, I can.”

According to Crohn’s and Colitis Canada, ulcerative colitis is one of two main forms of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD); the other is Crohn’s disease. These diseases inflame the lining of the gastrointestinal (GI) tract and disrupt your body's ability to digest food, absorb nutrition, and eliminate waste in a healthy manner. These are lifelong diseases and people can experience acute periods of active symptoms (active disease or flare), and other times when their symptoms are absent (remission).[i]

Rasheed’s UC journey started 14 years ago and he will be the first to tell you that UC can take you by surprise. “I was 27 years old, training for a half marathon, happy with my job and life in general and began experiencing symptoms including needing to go the bathroom sometimes up to 30 times a day.” In 2018, more than 270,000 Canadians were believed to be living with IBD. By 2030, that number is expected to rise to 403,000 Canadians (1 in 100 people).[ii]

Rasheed shares that despite the urgency and frequency of his trips to the bathroom, he experienced very little pain. “I know from talking to others that sometimes there is a great deal of pain associated with IBD and UC. That hasn’t been my experience but I can certainly empathize with how disruptive the symptoms can be. In my experience with UC a flare up for me can impact my normal routine”

The on-again-off-again nature of his condition made it difficult to diagnose. It was almost two years before Rasheed had confirmation that he was living with UC. “I wasn’t afraid of the diagnosis, I was relieved. I had done enough of my own research to suspect I had UC, so it was just good to know for sure.” Rasheed’s diagnosis, however, was only the beginning of a long road. After innumerable attempts to manage his condition over more than five years, Rasheed opted for surgical intervention. While Rasheed experienced some serious complications related to his surgery, his recovery has offered him an opportunity to reflect on the journey.

“My life is different now, but different can be good. I’ve recaptured a sense of normal. I can work and be active. I feel a sense of gratitude every day. I can now appreciate how I am benefiting from all of the work my healthcare team and I put into understanding and addressing my UC.” Rasheed shares that continuing to do his own research, being prepared for doctor’s appointments and being confident when advocating for himself were important parts of understanding his condition and what was to come. “I sometimes worried about being perceived as difficult, asking so many questions, but at the end of the day I needed as much information as I could gather to make decisions about my life and my health.”

In the years since his diagnosis, Rasheed has volunteered with Crohn’s and Colitis Canada, a national, volunteer-based charity focused on finding the cures for Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis and improving the lives of children and adults affected by these diseases. He also writes about his experiences with UC online. He does this both to help him stay connected to a community of people who “just get it” and have become friends, and to share his own experiences in an effort to help anyone else who might be struggling with symptoms, diagnosis or the everyday reality of living with a condition like UC.

“I want to share my sense of hopefulness with others. I know how challenging it can be. Navigating a disease like UC can make you feel alone. But I know better days are possible. It’s realistic to believe things can get better; there are options available. And if you’re feeling defeated or alone, please reach out to family, friends, or an IBD group online. There’s no reason to face your disease alone.”

[i]  Crohn’s and Colitis Canada. About Crohn’s and Colitis. https://crohnsandcolitis.ca/About-Crohn-s-Colitis/What-are-Crohns-and-Co...

[ii] Crohn’s and Colitis Canada. About Crohn’s and Colitis. https://crohnsandcolitis.ca/About-Crohn-s-Colitis/Are-you-at-risk

POPULAR BLOGS
Young Leader Inspires and Engages Pfizer Canada Colleagues 

Drug Shortage Lessons Learned: How do we build a more resilient injectable medicines market in Canada?

Our Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) Performance

Advancing Diversity at Pfizer Canada

The importance of supporting a resilient life sciences eco-system in Canada

Pfizer Highlights Commitment to All Patients During Patients in Focus Week

“My Voice, Our Equal Future”

In My Words: Effie’s Life with Ulcerative Colitis

Unleashing the power of its people makes Pfizer a top employer

Hope and Optimism While Living With Ulcerative Colitis

Marking Rare Disease Day 2022: Why Every Minute Matters 

In Conversation with Barry Stein

In Conversation with Filomena Servidio-Italiano

A commitment to creating a culture of inclusivity at Pfizer Canada

Pfizer announces recipients of research grants focused on transthyretin amyloid cardiomyopathy in Canada 

Canada’s Research-Based Pharmaceutical Industry is a Significant Contributor to the Economy

World Hemophilia Day: Robbie’s journey highlights the importance of raising awareness and finding community

Listening and Learning from Patients Living with Bladder Cancer

Pfizer Canada’s recommendations regarding the development of a National Strategy for Drugs for Rare Diseases

A Conversation with Najah Sampson

Living Well with Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA): Getting to the Heart of the Matter

Vaccine And Immunization Facts

Understanding Biosimilars

Girls Belong Here at Pfizer Canada

Giving Back – Pfizer Canada’s Month of Giving 

Pfizer Colleagues Get Healthy with the VIVA Health & Wellness program

Carpe Diem: Rise in Remote Connecting a Boon for those Living with RA

Imagine RA Network: Chronic Illness in a Pandemic Life

CDHF and Pfizer: The power of collaboration in the ulcerative colitis space

Reflecting on Rare Disease Day 2021

A Day in the Life with Atopic Dermatitis by Pfizer Colleague Kerri
About UsOur ProductsHelping Communities Our Voice Suppliers Distribution ChannelPfizer WorldwideMedia CentreTerms Of Use Careers Healthcare ProfessionalsContact UsPrivacy PolicyCopyright © Pfizer Canada 2022 All rights reserved. The information is intended only for residents of Canada. ® Pfizer Inc, used under license