Auto Immune diseases or "invisible illnesses" have became a widespread topic throughout the world. I have asked my social media followers to ask me questions about my two auto immune diseases, Celiac Disease and Ulcerative Colitis.

1. What is Celiac Disease?

Celiac Disease is when one cannot digest gluten, a protein found in wheat, barely, rye, and other preservatives. A person cannot simply eat gluten one day. With Celiac, it can make you hospitalized if eaten. It is much more serious than some people put it out to be. Celiac is not a fad, it is a disease and should be treated as such. The only "cure" is eating gluten free.

2. What is Ulcerative Colitis?

Ulcerative Colitis is inflammation of the colon. This is a very difficult disease to cope with. With this disease, there are days where you cannot physically move because of the pain. It is constant bathroom trips, its being scared for the rest of your life. One day you may wake up fine. Then, the next you won't be able to leave the bathroom. Unfortunately, the only "cure" as of now is medication.

3. How do you manage to live with these illnesses?

At first, it was difficult. When I got diagnosed with the Celiac it was less of a challenge than when I got diagnosed with Ulcerative Colitis. Present day, I get up every morning and motivate myself. I do have days to where I cannot get myself out of bed. However, most days I get up and hide the pain. While I do want understanding like I've mentioned, I do not do this for sympathy from others (there's a difference between the two) I do it for myself so I can maintain a motivating attitude instead of letting these illnesses hurt me more than they do. I refuse to let them defeat me, no matter what they do.

4. How does it feel to live with Ulcerative Colitis on a daily basis?

Living with Ulcerative Colitis feels like my body is at war with an enemy inside. Which technically is what an auto immune disease is, your body attacking itself. I wake up every morning with nausea. I get up, take my medications, eat and get ready for the day and go about my day.

I do get the constant pain, I do my best to hide it. I can't forget to take my medications. Forgetting even one medication could be deadly for me. I have fears of being sick in public. The constant feeling of nausea does get difficult. I go about my day despite the nausea and constant feelings of needing a bathroom nearby.

6. How does having Ulcerative Colitis and Celiac affect you emotionally?

Celiac does not affect my emotions. I do not even consider my food "abnormal", I eat the same as anyone else. My Ulcerative Colitis has affected my emotions which has made me become stronger and more positive. There are days where I think about the pain. There are days where I ask myself, "Why can't I feel normal?" Yes, it does hurt me sometimes. I keep myself motivated and make sure to do the things I need to do. We all have bad days in life. For me, Ulcerative Colitis causes the majority of my bad days. I do not want people to feel sorry for me, but what I do want is to be understood if I am not myself or cannot do something, that I am not "making this up". This is not something that's "in my head".

7. What would your life be without these illnesses?

First off, not worrying about what I could eat would be one. I do wish I didn't have to worry about cross contamination at restaurants because some people don't take my Celiac seriously. Without Ulcerative Colitis, my life would be so much easier. It feels weird to think about not having it. However, it has definitely made me a stronger person.

8. How have these illnesses changed you?

Both have made me see what struggle is. They made me see that life should not be taken for granted. They both made me a stronger, braver, more motivated and positive person.

Alexandra Elle on Goodreads.com wrote, "I am thankful for my struggle because without it, I wouldn't have stumbled across my strength". This quote has given me so much power and has been my motto since getting diagnosed with my invisible illnesses.