Telling my story: I have a Diagnosis - Crohns and Ankylosing Spondilitus (WTF?) | RC ADVENTURES

The Hobby of Radio Control is a powerful one. I easily could have spoken for an hour or more on this issue, but wanted to keep this video short. If viewers ask me to go into more detail, I will consider doing another video in the future. It is time I let others in the community know that I have had a health issue for many years, and all while still making the show. I had no idea, and either did the doctors - until recently, what was wrong. Why was I becoming so crippled? And why was I in such dire straits when eating food?! My world has come crashing down in 2018, as my health quickly deteriorated. I am 41 years old, and a Dad of a 5 year old boy, and Husband to a Loving wife. I have been a successful YouTuber for 10 years, all the while experiencing health issues.

After some lengthy testing, scopes, needles, and a surgery.. I am well on my way to treating these two issues. Don't get me wrong, I am embarrassed to share this story - as much I can get.. but I know that doing this video and sharing my story is not only a part of my own healing process.. but might give others strength in knowing they are not alone.
Inflammatory bowel disease (Crohns) is no joke, is easy to laugh at - and horrible to experience. The side effects of this autoimmune disease are atrocious, and I would not wish them on anyone (accept for that guy who did not signal in traffic the other day.. lol) .. Ankylosing Spondilitus (a degenerative bone arthritis) has been attacking my spine and joints for many years now.. and is threatening to fuse my entire spine straight. It is what this autoimmune disease does. I was lucky enough to get both diseases. I am one of the lucky 2% that get Crohns, that also get this type of arthritis. Yay.
This sucks, but it's my reality. I have been hiding this information about my life as we have been investigating whats been going on for about 8 months. It is extremely painful, and you can see my health looks bad, even in this video. I am mortified that it has literally captured and taken control of my life.. but I fight against it. There are many stages of grief.. and I am experiencing them.. either one at a time, or on some days.. multiple feelings all at once. I have changed my diet drastically, and been exploring herbal medicines. The last year has been absolute torture on my body, and to my family and friends. It is very difficult to watch someone be in such pain all of the time.
We have all found strength we never knew we had. Endurance, perseverance, determination.. and hope. These are positive experiences that we are all holding on to... and discovering new strengths we never knew were there.
I have had a myriad of emotions during this entire process. I have had to miss important events because of the symptoms of these diseases. I have had to watch other people eat, when I am starving.. because my body rejects food. I have felt like a burden on my family.
I feel like I have let my YouTube community down, because I can no longer keep up to the things I used to do.. But....
I know that I am strong, and I am a fighter. I know I am not a burden on my family, and they love me. I know that my head can be held high - because I .. don't... quit. I know that my work will be here on YouTube for years, and that the show will continue to inspire others to have fun in their lives. I know I am a winner.
I will continue making RC ADVENTURES as long as my body, and YouTube will allow me to. It is what I do, and is a part of who I am. I may not be able to appear on camera as often as I used to... or flip around heavy RC's at the moment.. but I do not foresee this lasting a long time. Once I have my proper medication - I predict that I will be back and as strong as ever!
Thank you for reading this.. and for accepting me for who I am.
For the people who don't.. well, it doesn't matter.. life goes on, and so do I!
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