Katherine Stewart, “Kathy”
President of IBD Support Australia
Kathy is a founding member of the IBD Support Australia site having joined in 2003. Her story began when Kathy was diagnosed with Crohn’s disease at age 22. Her condition took 10 months to diagnose. In fact, it was only discovered during her first bowel resection. Since then, she’s had five more resections and has now, thankfully, been enjoying remission for the past six years.
In the past, Kathy used her Bachelor of Science and Master’s degree to pursue a career in nursing; however, due to her ongoing health issues she was forced to retire. In December 2007, she was appointed moderator as a result of her participation on the site. Currently, Kathy enjoys taking an active interest on the IBD forum and loves helping others. She loves playing lawn bowls, going camping and 4 wheel driving in remote places, reading and being a Nanna to her grandkids. Kathy also makes a point of doing something nice for herself every day. In 2011 she went on a 46 night cruise – her ‘cruise of a lifetime’.
Stefan N
Chief Technology Officer & Treasurer
Stefan joined the forum in June 2006 and later that year volunteered to help move the website to its very own home at IBDAustralia.org where he inherited his current administrator status. Stefan has battled with several chronic illnesses, including Crohn’s disease, since 2003. At the moment he is in drug induced remission but his illness has recently forced him to postpone his university studies. Stefan enjoys his music, especially performing with music groups.
Jo N
Secretary
In 2004, Jo was diagnosed with Indeterminate Colitis. Although just 24 years old, she joined the IBD Support Australia site and was subsequently appointed as a moderator. Coincidentally, her younger sister has Indeterminate Colitis as well. She has had a successful career with minimal disruption from her Crohn’s, and enjoys spending time with her family. Some of Jo’s favourite things include: spending time with her four month old baby girl, her hubby and their two Labradors and visiting NZ (where she had a destination wedding). She stays busy trying to plan family meals for the two ‘Crohnies’ and two ‘Coeliacs’ in her family!
Carly C
Global Moderator & General Member
Carly was diagnosed in 2005 with Crohn’s disease after a number of years of ongoing illness. She joined the forum in 2006 and was appointed moderator in December 2007. Through her struggle with Crohn’s, Carly has suffered from several bowel strictures and has had a bowel resection to assist in the treatment of her disease. Carly has had a lot of trouble with fistulas and has had well over 20 operations to help treat these. After trying nearly every medication available, she was finally classed as being in a medical remission in 2009. She still has active disease and fistulas that require ongoing care but, essentially, she is appreciating life as it comes! Carly is a teacher with a double Bachelor degree of Education and Early Childhood Studies. Her hobbies include scrapbooking and travelling.
Amy N
Super Moderator
Amy was diagnosed in 2001 with Ulcerative Colitis and never quite managed to achieve remission. She joined the forum in 2005 and was appointed moderator in December 2007 and works part-time. In 2009, she decided that she had used up her quota of bowel motions and opted to have her colon and rectum removed resulting in a permanent ileostomy. She currently loves life and the freedom her operation has given her.
Jen A
Super Moderator
Jen is a founding member of the forum having joined in 2003 and was later appointed moderator. Her daughter was diagnosed in 2002 with Crohn’s disease at age 10. As a consequence of her illness, her daughter had a very hard time at school. Thankfully, after a round of steroids and a couple of minor operations, she is now doing wonderfully.