In this week's episode of "The Beautiful Bag" podcast, I had the pleasure of interviewing Jacqueline, an extraordinary athlete and ice skater. Jacqueline's inspiring story revolves around her battle with Crohn's disease and how it led her to embrace an ileostomy. Despite the challenges she faced, Jacqueline's determination and resilience have allowed her to continue pursuing her passion for ice skating. In this post, I’ll will delve into Jacqueline's journey, exploring her experiences with Crohn's, her decision to undergo surgery, and how she has defied expectations to thrive as an athlete.

Jacquelin shares that she was diagnosed with Crohn's disease at the age of 15, marking the beginning of a battle that would shape her life. With her mother also living with Crohn's and experiencing spontaneous remission, Jacquelin had some understanding of the disease. However, she never anticipated that Crohn's would become such a significant part of her identity. She reveals that she spent years trying different medications, including biologics, to manage her symptoms and achieve remission.

In 2020, Jacquelin's condition took a turn for the worse, and she realized that surgery was necessary to save her colon. Despite the surgeon's caution that the procedure only had a 15% chance of success, Jacquelin chose to undergo the surgery. Looking back, she acknowledges that she held onto the hope of preserving her colon for longer than she should have. Nevertheless, she remains grateful that the decision was hers to make, rather than a forced intervention.

After the surgery, Jacquelin faced the reality of living with an ileostomy. Initially, she had concerns about how this would impact her life as an athlete. However, joining a Facebook group called "Ostomy Lifestyle Athletes" opened her eyes to the limitless possibilities. Witnessing runners, swimmers, triathletes, and even fellow figure skaters thriving with an ostomy provided Jacquelin with the confidence to believe that her dreams were still within reach.

Returning to the Ice: Jacquelin's passion for ice skating began at the age of six, and she turned professional in 2017. Despite her surgeries, she was determined to continue performing on the ice. Her doctor reassured her that she could do anything she set her mind to, and Jacquelin took those words to heart. When she steps onto the ice, her ostomy becomes irrelevant. In her mind, she is whole and free, allowing her to perform with the same dedication and skill she possessed before her surgeries.

One particularly exciting moment during Jacquelin’s journey occurred when she received a phone call from figure skating legend Michelle Kwan. Having dealt with her own share of injuries, Michelle reassured Jacquelin that she could make a comeback from her illness. This conversation left Jacquelin feeling inspired and motivated to overcome any challenges that came her way.

Jacquelin's story is a testament to the strength of the human spirit and the power of perseverance. Despite the obstacles posed by Crohn's disease and surgery, she continues to pursue her passion for ice skating with unwavering determination. Jacquelin's journey serves as an inspiration to others facing similar challenges, reminding us that we can overcome adversity and embrace life to the fullest. With her positive attitude and refusal to let her condition define her, Jacquelin has become a role model for all those striving to break down barriers and live life to the fullest, regardless of the challenges they face.

If you would like to hear it all in her own words CLICK HERE to listen to the podcast in full or you can find it on Apple Podcast, Google Podcast, or Spotify. This episode is also on my YouTube Channel.