Health is Wealth at Simpson Judge

We like to support and empower our employees in their roles with Simpson Judge, but above all we value our team after all they are at the heart of everything we do and fundamental to our growth and what we are looking to achieve. Therefore, while their professional development and success is important, health is wealth and we take supporting our team’s health and well-being seriously.

Stephanie is Business Manager of our Beauty & Cosmetic (Consumer Goods) Division at Simpson Judge, last October she was diagnosed with Crohn’s Disease. For people unfamiliar with the disease, Crohn’s is a life-long, chronic condition whereby parts of the gut/bower are severely inflamed.

Stephanie has been on a long road to get to this diagnosis and we are proud that for IBD Day the Simpson Judge team are supporting Stephanie with a spot of fundraising. We are pleased that for her first fundraising activity she hasn’t picked anything too strenuous and that we get to raise money while eating cake!

Here’s Stephanie’s Story

In October of 2022, I was diagnosed with Crohn’s Disease. After many doctors’ appointments, hospital visits, tests, and procedures. I’d finally found the missing piece to my puzzle, I had Crohn’s…

I have had issues with my stomach for as long as I can remember, which got passed off as IBS a few years ago. In 2022 my symptoms worsened, where the inflammation started showing in other parts of my body in the form of arthritis and abscesses, so I pushed for answers, which finally lead to my diagnosis. Since, I have had 2 operations and have started on some amazing treatment which hopefully will be enough to manage my symptoms for now.

The diagnosis journey and going through the whole testing process was incredibly daunting, it felt like my life suddenly ground to a halt! It’s stressful being diagnosed with a lifelong condition, having to come to terms with the fact that this is now a part of me was a big hurdle, worrying about what the future may hold and what treatment or surgery I’ll need.

However, Crohn’s and Colitis UK helped normalise the diagnosis and made me realise it is much more common than I thought. Over 500,000 of us in the UK suffer with Inflammatory Bowel Disease and the medical treatment that has been developed over the years is amazing!

A huge emotional strain and worry was my work; I worried about my job and how I’d make a living, how my employer would be with me having to take time out for appointments and surgeries, but I needn’t have worried as Simpson Judge were incredibly caring and accommodating, we have an amazing HR function who supported me all the way, which I’m exceedingly grateful for as I know not all employers can be as accommodating and supportive.

More awareness needs to be raised about bowel issues, it’s a taboo subject and people feel embarrassed or ashamed to discuss these problems! This is what the Crohn’s and Colitis UK Charity focus on with World IBD Day… spreading awareness and breaking that taboo. As well as providing support to sufferers like me and conducting scientific research in the search for a cure.

As with most conditions early diagnosis is so important and if you think something isn’t right, no matter how minor it may seem, get it checked. Common symptoms include bloating, stomach pain, passing blood, diarrhoea, fatigue, weight loss, achy joints, and ulcers. There’s a symptom checker here to help decide if you should speak to your GP on the charity website >>

https://crohnsandcolitis.org.uk/our-work/campaigns/symptom-checker

Today is World IBD Day (19^th May) and this year, I’m raising money in aid of Crohn’s & Colitis UK and holding a bake sale at the Simpson Judge offices. Thank you to Rob & Ben and the team at Simpson Judge for supporting my fundraising efforts and my lovely friend @BakedByEll_ for donating some amazing brownies, blondies, and cookie pie, you’re all in for a treat!

I wanted to give back to the charity that has helped me so much during and post diagnosis, so that they can help others on their journey. In the future, I’d love a world where bowel problems are less of a taboo topic, Crohn’s & Colitis UK are doing their best with raising the profile of these conditions and this year’s IBD Day theme is #PooWithPride now if that’s not a hashtag that can trend, I don’t know what is?! Many people avoid the doctors or talking openly about bowel problems, because they feel awkward or uncomfortable but delaying the diagnosis process can lead to a more serious problem later down the line!

If you want to support my charity efforts then please visit my GoFundMe page>> To quote a well-known retailer… every little really does help! Thank you in advance for your contribution to this cause, which means so much to me… you can follow our activity and find out how much we have raised on our social channels!