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Hi, my name is connor...and until now...i never realized how hard colitis was to live with. I am 19 now, trying to make a better life for myself,, and ive always wanted to help people. Careers i am considering are Police Officer, Firefighter, and an EMT. I took sulfasalizine until i was 11 and have had no need to be on medications since then. I found out that i was DQ'd from the military for having colitis and didnt know that if one of these jobs would also DQ me or overlook me because of the UC. I am in remission now and when I am on meds it is fully controllable...i just need someone to let me know...im already crushed about military

 Reply posted for callen6.

Connor,

Go get 'em!!!    

Lizzies Mom

 Reply posted for callen6.

Im a volunteer fire fighter and i have had colitis now for 3 and half years. I have thought the same questions, could i do those jobs and do them right knowing that my colitis could act up at any time. Im looking into fire investigation more cause it gives me the peace of mind i could that job without hurting myself or another person  if something were to happen while on the job. But i would def check with your local departments and see what they say. Good luck....

 Reply posted for Lizzies Mom.

lizzie's mom, i thank you for your kind comments regarding my character. Luckily enough the day after i posted this looking for answers a fellow student of mine in my comm college was talking to me. He told me he was in the navy and my interest in the service came up. Wouldnt you know that this young man served in the navy with UC...he said he believes that if symptoms havent shown for a certain period of time its not recognized, or in the worst case i can apply for medical waivers to serve and should nto have a problem. So as a glimmer of hope has been brought to my attention, I have decided that unless i try i'll never know. So I have decided to pursue my original dream and will finish out the school year and enlist, and if worse comes to worst ill put waiver after waiver in. And even if tht doesnt work atleast for my own benefit i know i tried and will actively pursue my other dream as a paramedic...i thank you all for your help...wish me luck!

 Reply posted for callen6.

To truly find out if there are medical restrictions for any of these professions, I suggest you contact the governing institutions directly and pose your questions to them.

Getting answers from the sources is the only way to know for sure.

Call and ask questions over the phone or better yet, see if you can set up an appointment with someone to discuss your options in person.

 Reply posted for callen6.

I agree with Lizzie's Mom, you can be whatever you want to be.  Don't let anything stop you.  I have a 19 year old daughter with UC diagnosed at 16.  She is currently on Azathioprine, Lialda, Women's One a Day vitamin, probiotic Ultimate Flora Critical Care 50 Billion.  She's been in remission for a year.  She is at community college right now but she's filling out her college applications to transfer and some are far away.  She can do whatever she wants and she feels that way too although when she has a flare up it's difficult but she gets through it.  She has a great IBD specialist too.  I happen to know a guy who is a cop who has UC.  I'm sure there are lots but no one really talks about this disease.  I'm pretty sure UC is protected under American Disabilities Act too so they can't discriminate against you for having UC.  Good luck and go for it!!!!!

 Reply posted for callen6.

Hi Connor,

First, I want to say thank you.   Strange, you don't even know me, but thank you for wanting to be in the service.  I give credit to those that believe in protecting our freedom here in America and can't thank you enough for wanting to do that.  There are plenty of men that don't have that kind of courage.

I was unaware of the fact that having CD/UC could disqualify someone from such a post.  After thinking about it, I think it may be for your own protection.   Imagine yourself in the middle of Afghanistan and oh, ****, I have to go!    You could lose your life!   

My daughter is a CD patient and is on Sulfasalazine too (since she's 4, and she'll be 10 in Jan.).   I am going to tell you the same thing I tell her......you can do / be anything you want to be!   You may have to work a little harder, but you can.  There are many, many successful people who are living with this and other diseases that are making fine livings for themselves.  Do not allow this disease define you.....you need to define it.  

From the info in your post it seems that you enjoy helping others.  Maybe a good place to start is visiting your local community college.   Meeting with an advisor and start taking a few college classes in Criminal Justice.  

You are young and have your whole life ahead of you.  You need to start somewhere and with or without UC you can do it (if you are hungry enough).   Go for it!   

Lizzies Mom