Strength in adversity - How Tianna Samuels beat the odds despite Crohn’s disease

When Tianna Samuels was diagnosed with an incurable disease just a month before starting her studies at The University of the West Indies (UWI), the then 18-year-old felt a strong urge to advocate for those battling similar challenges.

However, as her symptoms worsened and her appearance changed, she saw the best and worst of humanity.

"On one hand, I saw who really supported me through it all and I'm grateful that I have solid people in my life that I can lean on. But I also saw how strangers would stare at me because of my weight loss, and comment horrible things about my body or be insensitive about the condition," Samuels told THE STAR.

In 2019, Samuels was diagnosed Crohn's disease, which is an inflammatory bowel disease that results in persistent and chronic inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract, which extends from the stomach to the anus. It can cause severe abdominal pain, constant diarrhoea, as well as fatigue and other symptoms. Samuels' symptoms started two weeks before her diagnosis and included nausea, vomiting and severe weight loss.

"People would say things like: 'Jesus why you look like that? You look terrible! You need fi eat some KFC and dumpling and stop gwaan like you alone inna the world have problems.' Or 'God is punishing you so you need to repent for your sin,' Samuels recounted. "It was a lot to handle and I became severely depressed to the point of being suicidal." In addition to educating others about the disease, she told THE STAR that she wanted to influence real change.

"I found out that the NHF [National Health Fund] doesn't cover it under its programme, so people with Crohn's either have to have insurance or pay everything out of pocket, and it's really hard because it doesn't just affect the digestive system," she said. "So, I was petitioning for it to be added to the individual benefits under the NHF and I spent a lot of time posting on social media about my experience." However, the reaction was negative, as persons thought she was seeking attention, trying to scam them, or exaggerating her condition.

In an effort to manage the financial burden of her medical care, which costs about $500,000 annually, Samuels launched a GoFundMe campaign. But as the backlash mounted and the stress became too much to bear, she decided to shut it down.

"I also didn't hear back from the NHF, so it felt disappointed that I did all that work for basically nothing," she said.

Despite these challenges, Samuels, now 23, graduated from The UWI with a Bachelor of Arts degree in integrated marketing communication with first class honours. She credits her support system which includes her mother, sister, and lecturer Dr Alpha Obika, for helping her on her journey to success. She is also now thriving both mentally and physically. Last year she did a colostomy, which is a surgery that created an opening for her colon through her abdomen. She said it has "given me my life back".

"I'm regaining my weight, most of the symptoms I used to experience are gone, and I'm actually able to have a job now," said Samuels, who is a production assistant. She advised those battling Crohn's disease to be patient with themselves and give themselves grace.

"Your body is going through a lot and sometimes you may feel like you're falling behind your peers or finding it difficult just getting through each day. Don't beat yourself up. You are doing your best and that's going to look different each day, which is perfectly fine," she said. "Lean on the people around you who lift you up and remember that there are so many wonderful, beautiful things waiting on you to be experienced and loved. It's hard, but don't give up on yourself, life's tough but you're tougher." She also urged persons who are not living with chronic illnesses to be kind.

"Show empathy to people and try to do research so you don't fear or criticise something you don't know about," Samuels said.