Community Forum

Have a question, or want to share your own tips and experiences? Join the discussion in the community forum. You must be registered to participate. Our forums are moderated by Crohn's & Colitis Foundation staff to facilitate a safe environment.

Language Barriers


Wed, June 09, 2010 12:00 AM

This is my 5th year since i was diagnosed with Crohn's and am still having a hard time explaining to my parents what it truely means to have Crohn's. They think i have stomach pains which is right, but they can't seem to fathom the variety of pains associated like lack of sleep due to gassy pains, degrading fissures, and most importantly the psychological aspects.

Since this is not a disease which one can visually understand, i have to struggle translating between a doctor "qualified" to speak Spanish (he doesn't) and my parents who can't seem to understand the terminology or concepts. The language barrier can be very frustrating and only causes more tension in our household.

Is there something I'm not explaining correctly? am i missing valuable information? Have i been speaking to the wrong doctor? Why can't they seem to understand and most importantly support me?

Thank you for reading! I'd love to hear what you have to say. We're not alone :)

FPO davids belly
Joined Jun 4, 2010

Wed, June 16, 2010 12:00 AM

 Reply posted for magonza8279.

Thanks everyone for your advice it has made a huge impact on my efforts to communicate with my parents!

The entire concept has not yet been embedded into them yet but i am always reaching out trying to get them to have perspective. I'm not a parent so i can't understand how frustrating it must be to watch a part of you suffer from a condition like this. Sometimes its easier to overlook a problem you can't see like a newly found mole on your arm. Overlook the mole and one could end up with cancer. I changed my entire lifestyle from average American to permanent vegan and i need them to look into this condition with me so we can make the best.

If this triggered any though please post! :)
Happy to BE
David's Belly

FPO davids belly
Joined Jun 4, 2010

Sat, June 12, 2010 10:42 PM

 Reply posted for Davids belly.

Also remember that for Hispanics depression is almost taboo and it is NEVER spoken about.  You may just need to print out some information for them in Spanish and give them some time to read it and soak it all in

FPO magonza8279
Joined Mar 18, 2009

Fri, June 11, 2010 12:00 AM

 Reply posted for Davids belly.

Based on my own experience, I'd guess that the lack of understanding has more to do with your parents than it does from language.  I never really felt like my parents understood colitis and they speak English.  Because I often felt weak they would often make me feel like I was just being lazy.  Not that they were bad parents, they tried to be supportive but they never really understood it. 
It doesn't help that "colitis" in spanish is thought of as equivalent to diarrhea when my disease is so much more complicated than that.  I don't even know what the word for Chron's is. Se dice enfermedad de chrons?

FPO tobykai
Joined May 20, 2010

Wed, June 09, 2010 11:40 PM

 Reply posted for Davids belly.

You may want to check the information resource center on this site to see if there is any printed info in Spanish.

FPO ibdamom
Joined Jul 4, 2008

Wed, June 09, 2010 10:15 PM

 Reply posted for STroxell.

That is an interesting perspective!
Today we spoke more about the disease and they just didn't seem to understand the nausea i get in the mornings. They tell me i appear to be happy but its possible they mistake my optimism for true relief. How depressed do i have to get before it becomes a problem?
What do you think?

FPO davids belly
Joined Jun 4, 2010

Wed, June 09, 2010 12:00 AM

 Reply posted for Davids belly.

Since you have been trying for so long to explain to them -- do you think it is possible that they do not want to accept that you have a serious condition?  Please do not take the question the wrong way -- I only ask out of experience with my parents on other trauma issues.

FPO stroxell
Joined Jun 9, 2010

Related Topics

Trying to support my husb...
Author Image jessers
Joined Mar 1, 2022

Hi, My husband is 46 and was diagnosed in 2019 ....

read more

Legal system
Author Image Kimdanon1
Joined Apr 20, 2024

My son has Crohn's and is currently in jail. T....

read more