Month: February 2025

Empowering Teens: A Guide to Scholarships for College-Bound Students with Inflammatory Bowel Disease

Leave a comment

Millions of people worldwide live with IBD. For teenagers with Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis, the challenges are multi-faceted—not only must they manage their health, but they also face the pressures of academic life, dealing with physical and emotional challenges their peers can’t relate to, and the daunting costs of higher education. Thankfully, several scholarship programs exist to support students dealing with IBD, offering financial assistance, and fostering a sense of community and empowerment.

This week on Lights, Camera, Crohn’s a look at what scholarships are available and tips for applying. This story idea was inspired by a caregiver who sent me a direct message on Instagram asking if her teenage daughter could be awarded a scholarship for going above and beyond scholastically despite having IBD. I wasn’t aware of what is available—and in working on this article I did my research as though I was a teen/caregiver looking up scholarships geared towards those with IBD.

Why IBD Scholarships Matter

Teens with IBD often navigate difficult symptoms, frequent medical appointments, and hospitalizations. Despite these challenges, many young people with IBD excel academically, participate in extracurricular activities, and remain determined to pursue higher education. Scholarships tailored to their needs can ease the financial burden of college tuition and provide a sense of validation for their hard work and resilience.

In addition to financial relief, these scholarships can help build a sense of camaraderie among students with similar experiences. IBD scholarships are a powerful way for these teens to connect, share their stories, and feel supported and empowered in their journey toward college and beyond.

Notable Scholarships for Teens with IBD

Abbvie Immunology Scholarship: The AbbVie Immunology Scholarship aims to reduce the financial burden for students impacted by inflammatory diseases. It is awarded to 45 students. Recipients pursuing an associate degree will receive a $5,000 scholarship. Those pursuing a bachelor’s or master’s degree/PhD will receive a $15,000 scholarship.

The Salix Gastrointestinal Health Scholarship Award: Ten scholarships to 10 outstanding students living with gastrointestinal (GI) diseases and disorders who are pursuing their higher education goals. The 2025-2026 application period opened February 10, 2025, and the end date to apply is May 5, 2025.

Patient Advocate Foundation – Scholarship” In 2000, PAF established the Scholarship for Survivors program to honor these individuals by offering educational scholarships to students who have suffered (or are suffering) from cancer or a chronic illness. The deadline for submissions is March 7, 2025.

180 Medical Scholarship Program: The 180 Medical Scholarship Program is open to full-time college students living with specific medical conditions, including spinal cord injuries, spina bifida, transverse myelitis, neurogenic bladder, or an ostomy (ileostomy, colostomy, and/or urostomy). They offer seven $1,000 college scholarships annually to seven recipients. Accepting applications through June 1, 2025. Recipients are announced in August.

AAHD Frederick J. Krause Scholarship on Health and Disability: Awarded annually to deserving students with a disability who are pursuing undergraduate/graduate studies in an accredited university and who are pursuing studies related to health and disability. Scholarships are generally $1,000.

Buckfire & Buckfire, P.C. Disability Scholarship Program: The Disability Scholarship was established in 2014 as part of the law firm’s commitment to helping students with disabilities or injuries who need financial assistance for educational purposes. The scholarship awards $1,000 to one student. The deadline to apply is October 1, 2025.

Defining the Disability Scholarship: The attorneys at the Berkowitz Hanna Malpractice and Injury Lawyers offer a $1,000 scholarship to help a student overcome a disability. Students define what disability means to them and explain how disability has been part of their life. Applications are not being accepted right now but stay tuned for 2025.

Lawrence Madeiros Scholarship: The Larence Madeiros Scholarship Fund was formed to provide awareness of chronic disorders to the public and to stimulate, foster, and encourage interest, awareness, and activism at the state and national level with reference to the fight against chronic disorders. The scholarship is awarded to high school seniors living with a chronic disorder and continuing their education at a college or university. The deadline for applying is May 1, 2025.

Overcoming Disability Scholarship: The Law Offices of Coats & Todd Overcoming Disability Scholarship awards $2,500 scholarships twice a year to college students who are managing a disability while attending school. To qualify, students must have a physical or psychological disability that affects their ability to work. The deadline for applying is March 26, 2025. Their team can be reached at: scholarships@coatsandtoddlaw.com

IBD Connects Scholarship Program: To support the educational aspirations of students impacted by IBD, IBD Connect awards two annual scholarships, each valued at $1,000, to eligible applicants enrolled in a U.S. college, university, or trade/vocational school for the upcoming academic year. The application program opens March 1, 2025, and ends May 31, 2025. For any questions regarding the Scholarship Program, email Lisa Fournier: lisafournier@ibdconnectinc.org.

It’s important to note there may be other IBD-related scholarships available, this list reflects what I discovered upon researching this article.

Additional Scholarship Resources

Beyond disease-specific scholarships, many general scholarships and grants are available to students with disabilities or health conditions. Websites like Scholarships.com, Niche, and Unigo allow users to search for scholarships based on specific needs, including chronic illness or disabilities.

To search for more scholarships that you may qualify for, visit the U.S. Department of Education’s Federal Student Aid website and the U.S. Department of Labor’s free scholarship search database. You can search for scholarships based on the state you live in, your degree program, and your future goals.

Additionally, some universities even offer their own scholarships for students with disabilities, including those affected by IBD. It’s always a good idea to contact the admissions or financial aid office of the school you’re interested in to inquire about any opportunities.

Tips for Applying for IBD Scholarships

  • Start Early: Many scholarships have early deadlines, so it’s important to start the application process well in advance of the due dates.
  • Tell Your Story: Your personal experience with IBD is what sets you apart. Be honest and heartfelt in your essays, sharing how IBD has shaped you as a person and student.
  • Gather Documents: Be prepared to provide documentation of your diagnosis, along with transcripts and letters of recommendation.
  • Stay Organized: Keep track of all deadlines, required documents, and any special instructions for each scholarship.

Final thoughts

For teens living with IBD, pursuing a college education can be a difficult but achievable goal. Scholarships specifically designed for students with IBD can alleviate financial stress, validate personal resilience, and provide a network of support. I was “lucky” in the respect that I was not diagnosed with Crohn’s disease until two months after college graduation, so I did not have to navigate these challenges while furthering my education and moving away from home. Along with scholarships, it’s important for caregivers and students with IBD to communicate the need for accommodations on the college campus—this can range from having a bathroom in or near your dorm room to having extra time to complete assignments. Click here to read another Lights, Camera, Crohn’s article that digs deeper into this topic.

As more awareness is raised about the challenges of IBD, opportunities for scholarships and grants continue to grow, ensuring that students with IBD can thrive academically without being held back by their condition.

Additional Resources

Taking IBD to School | Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation

Disability Support Services | Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation

10 Tips for Dealing with IBD in College – Managing IBD at School | Michigan Medicine

Starting College with Ulcerative Colitis

College Students with Inflammatory Bowel Disease: A Qualitative Study of Challenges Associated with College Transition and Self-Care – PMC

A Guide for How to Thrive in College With Crohn’s Disease

Navigating College with IBD – IBD Connect

How to Handle College if You have Crohn’s or UC

College and IBD Handbook – ImproveCareNow

Back to school tips

Preparing for College Life with Crohn’s Disease

The Healing Power of Dogs for Those with Inflammatory Bowel Disease

Leave a comment

Living with Inflammatory Bowel Disease is a daily challenge. The unpredictable flare-ups, the emotional toll, and the constant management of symptoms can often leave us feeling isolated, fatigued, and overwhelmed. While traditional treatments such as medications and therapy are essential, an often-overlooked but highly effective form of support comes in the form of our furry friends: dogs.

Today marks five years without my Hamilton. Not a day goes by that I don’t miss his gentle presence and the way he always comforted me through my toughest days. He was more than just a dog—he was my rock, my support, my constant companion through the ups and downs of living with a chronic illness and the most regal and well-behaved pup you’ve ever met. Never barked. Never jumped on counters or ate food off the table. Never woke me up once in the middle of the night. He spoiled me and was an absolute angel on all fours.

For those with IBD, the companionship of a dog can offer profound emotional and physical benefits. This week on Lights, Camera, Crohn’s let’s explore some of the key ways in which a dog can positively impact the life of someone living with IBD.

Emotional Support and Stress Reduction

Living with IBD often means dealing with chronic pain, fatigue, and anxiety about when the next flare-up might occur. These stressors can take a significant toll on mental health. One of the most important ways a dog can help is by providing emotional support.

Studies have shown that interacting with dogs can lower levels of cortisol, the stress hormone, while increasing the production of oxytocin, the “feel-good” hormone. The unconditional love and companionship that a dog offers can help reduce feelings of loneliness, anxiety, and depression. A wagging tail or a warm cuddle from a dog can be incredibly therapeutic when dealing with the emotional rollercoaster of a chronic illness like IBD.

Encouraging Physical Activity

Managing IBD requires a careful balance of exercise and rest, as too much physical activity can trigger symptoms, but staying sedentary isn’t ideal for overall health either. Fortunately, dogs provide a perfect solution.

Owning a dog encourages physical activity through regular walks, playtime, and outdoor activities. Research shows that dog owners are more likely to meet the recommended physical activity levels, which can be crucial for maintaining a healthy weight, improving cardiovascular health, and promoting overall well-being. For someone with IBD, staying active helps support digestive health and can even alleviate some of the symptoms of the disease.

Building Routine and Structure

IBD often requires careful planning around diet, rest, and self-care. One of the less-discussed benefits of dog ownership is how it helps create a daily routine. Dogs need consistent feeding times, regular walks, and playtime, which naturally brings structure and discipline to a person’s day. This structure can be particularly valuable for those with chronic illnesses, as it helps maintain a sense of normalcy, even when everything else feels unpredictable.

Additionally, having a dog can act as a gentle reminder to take breaks, step outside, and tend to your own self-care, whether that’s taking a walk or simply sitting with your pet and enjoying a calm moment.

Providing Comfort and Reducing Isolation

IBD can sometimes lead to feelings of isolation, as it’s not always easy to explain to others what you’re going through. Having a dog can significantly reduce these feelings. Dogs are intuitive creatures who can often sense when their owners are feeling unwell or stressed, and they instinctively offer comfort, whether it’s by cuddling up with you on the couch or simply lying by your side.

The companionship a dog provides is unconditional, and they never judge. This can be incredibly comforting when you’re managing the unpredictable nature of IBD. A dog’s presence offers emotional stability and the feeling that you are never truly alone in your journey.

Potential Health Benefits for Gut Health

Emerging research suggests that pets, particularly dogs, may even have a positive impact on gut health. While this connection is still being studied, early findings suggest that exposure to dogs, especially in childhood, might help foster a healthy gut microbiome, which could be beneficial for preventing or managing diseases like Crohn’s.

Having a dog might not directly cure IBD, but their presence may contribute to a healthier environment for overall well-being. Additionally, the companionship of a dog can help reduce stress levels, which, in turn, can have a positive impact on gastrointestinal health since stress is a known trigger for IBD flare-ups.

Offering Purpose and a Sense of Responsibility

One of the often-overlooked benefits of having a dog when living with IBD is the sense of purpose they bring. Chronic illness can make it hard to feel motivated or engaged, especially during flare-ups when fatigue and pain dominate. Caring for a dog, however, gives you a reason to get out of bed in the morning and take care of another living being.

Whether it’s feeding them, taking them for a walk, or simply providing them with love, dogs offer a sense of responsibility that can help boost mood and self-worth. This added sense of purpose can be a powerful antidote to the emotional fatigue that often accompanies chronic illness.

Social Interaction and Connection

Having a dog also creates opportunities for social interactions. Whether it’s chatting with a neighbor while walking your dog or participating in pet-related activities, dogs naturally encourage connection. This can be especially important for those with IBD, who might avoid social situations out of fear of experiencing a flare-up in public.

Dogs can help ease the tension of these social situations by acting as an icebreaker and fostering a sense of community. Socializing with other dog owners can also reduce feelings of isolation and create a network of support.

Final Thoughts

While dogs may not be a cure for Inflammatory Bowel Disease, they certainly offer a range of emotional, physical, and social benefits that can make living with the condition a little easier. From reducing stress and anxiety to promoting physical activity and fostering emotional connection, the positive impact of having a dog cannot be overstated. For many people with IBD, their dog is more than just a pet—they’re a faithful companion, a source of comfort, a reminder that even on the toughest days, there’s always someone there to offer unconditional love, and they are truly a member of the family.

Even though it’s been five years since my sweet boy crossed the rainbow bridge, my kids still talk about him almost daily. My 7-year-old prays for him every night (“Hamilton is in heaven and he’s in our hearts”) and we often talk about the possibility of getting a dog in the not so far future. Up until this point I couldn’t even imagine loving or having a new dog, as Hami set the bar SO high and I can’t fathom ever having a more perfect sidekick. I also can’t imagine enduring the horrible heartbreak that comes along with losing an animal, it’s one of the hardest experiences I’ve ever gone through and has stuck with him to this day. But how luckily are we to share such a special bond and love with an animal. I’m hopeful to adopt another dog again someday so my kids can experience the magic of it all.

If you’re living with IBD and considering adopting a dog, it may be one of the best decisions you make for your mental and physical health. After all, sometimes the most powerful healing comes in the form of a wagging tail and a warm, furry hug.

Additional Resources

The Power of Pets’ Comfort Through IBD Pain

Coping with the fear of loss while living with IBD – lights camera crohn’s

IBD Motherhood Unplugged: My dog had IBD – lights camera crohn’s

The Benefits of Having Pets When You Live With a Chronic Illness

The Power of Pets for Patients with Chronic Illness

How Having a Pet Can Benefit Your Health