Mayo woman raises awareness about inflammatory bowel disease

Karen Kelly from Ballina was diagnosed with ulcerative colitis, a form of inflammatory bowel disease, in 2015 at the age of 14.

May is World IBD (Inflammatory Bowel Disease) Awareness month. Karen wants to raise awareness about the condition and the realities of living with a chronic invisible illness.

Reflecting on her own diagnosis, Karen said: “My symptoms first began around the age of nine. “For years, I attended GP appointments trying to understand why I constantly felt unwell. I was always tired, had sore bones, stomach pain, and was passing blood. At the time, these symptoms were often explained as growing pains or menstrual pain.

“Whenever I became sick with something like a cold or flu, it affected me far more severely than it did others. Eventually, after multiple GP visits in the space of a week, I was advised to go to A&E so that blood tests could be carried out and processed more quickly.

“While in A&E, a doctor noticed how pale I was and began asking more detailed questions, and this led to a referral for a colonoscopy. I was admitted to hospital, and the procedure the following day confirmed that I had ulcerative colitis. Throughout my teenage years, I struggled to come to terms with my diagnosis. I kept it to myself, even when I was missing school because of flare-ups. It meant falling behind both academically and socially, and I found it hard to keep up with my peers.

“Simple things like sleepovers or going out with friends became stressful, as I was constantly worried about when a flare-up or symptoms might occur. Much of that period now feels like a blur. I found it incredibly difficult to process being told that I had a lifelong illness.”

Today, Karen’s condition is reasonably well-managed, and she is currently on a high-tech biologic medication, which she self-injects every two weeks. However, the past six months have been very challenging.

“Last October I had what was thought to be a persistent chest infection that lasted around three months. My condition continued to worsen, and despite different medications being prescribed, nothing seemed to help. Eventually, my symptoms became so severe, struggling to breathe and experiencing intense chest pain, that I was sent to A&E. It was discovered that I had inflammation of the heart with doctors believing previous treatment may have been a contributing factor—a frightening and overwhelming experience. “Being in ICU at that time made me realise that ulcerative colitis is not just a bowel disease; it can affect other parts of the body as well. I am still undergoing treatment and monitoring for this.”

Where previously Karen kept her condition quiet, as she felt embarrassed, speaking openly has made her a more confident person.

“Learning to manage my condition over time has been a journey, but it has made me more aware of my body and proactive in taking control of my health. For years, I didn’t talk about my condition. I felt embarrassed and didn’t know how to explain it, especially as a teenager. Most of my friends, and even extended family, had no idea that I was living with it.

“Last year, I decided to do a charity skydive for Crohn’s and Colitis Ireland and also decided to tell my story to help raise awareness. I realised there was no reason to feel ashamed—this is a part of my life and accepting it has helped me grow. Seeing others speak openly about IBD (inflammatory bowel disease) has made me feel less alone and more confident in sharing my own experience.

“Living with ulcerative colitis has taught me resilience in ways most people don’t see. Despite the uncertainty of flare-ups, the hospital appointments, and the daily management of my condition, I continue to challenge myself.”

When it comes to IBD, Karen has the following message: “For the public, it would be that IBD is often invisible. Someone can look completely healthy on the outside while dealing with immense pain, fatigue, or other complications behind the scenes. Living with it can be exhausting, isolating, and unpredictable, but awareness, understanding, and support make a huge difference. For people with IBD, I would say don’t be embarrassed, and don’t suffer in silence. If you need support or urgent access to a toilet, you should feel able to say so openly, without fear or judgement.”

Last year, Karen was crowned the Bonniconlon Rose 2025, something she describes a huge honour. She works as a social care worker, supporting teenagers in residential care, a role she finds incredibly rewarding. Karen enjoys walking and travelling. She said: “Exploring new places gives me perspective and energy, and walking provides a daily opportunity to clear my mind and reflect.”