A Bunbury father is shaking off any ignominy around a disease many are reluctant to speak out about with an ultimate goal of finding a cure.
A Bunbury father is shaking off any ignominy around a disease many are reluctant to speak out about with an ultimate goal of finding a cure.
Shane Maher was diagnosed with Crohn’s disease at the age of 26.
“My life is different, I have to be mindful at all times of my condition,” the now 32-year-old said.
“I can do everyday tasks but have no energy left for anything social or sporting as my anaemia is a big challenge.
“From the outside I might look OK, but it can mask what is happening inside of me.”
It is easy to see how Shane appears to be living a normal, healthy life.
He has been happily married to the love of his life, Dana, for nearly seven years and the couple have two beautiful children together.
Shane has his dream job as a teacher at Parkfield Primary School — a career inspired by a teacher who helped him as he struggled through human biology in his school years.
“He made a difference, so I always wanted to do that, make an impact in kids’ lives,” Shane said.
“As long as I’m teaching, I’m happy.”
But just as it is easy to perceive Shane as the average healthy human being, the everyday challenges he faces are just as obvious as he opens up about the disease.
“It affects everyone different, so for me I always have this beautiful white complexion,” Shane said with a smirk.
“I get anaemia, so I lose blood a lot, so every couple of weeks I get an iron infusion.
“Crohn’s is tough, but I find that probably harder — it’s like chronic fatigue in a way so you’re just knackered, you do your normal day and then you’re knackered.”
Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis are life-long gastrointestinal disorders most commonly diagnosed in young people who have no choice but to self-manage throughout their lives.
There is no cure.
But Shane is doing his part to help change that including last month completing Crohn’s & Colitis Australia’s Live Fearless Challenge, which involves 150km of walking or running.
Read the full story at https://thewest.com.au/news/south-western-times/crohns-disease-cant-stop-shane-ng-b88988413z
