May 19th is a special day for all sufferers of Inflammatory Bowel Disease, worldwide.

It is an annual day to celebrate and reflect upon the numerous achievements and challenges that come from living with IBD.

Held at the Grand Hall at Parliament, this year's IBD Day focused on the ‘Blessings of living with IBD’. Guests were invited to view the many stories that wrapped around the Grand Hall, written by IBD patients, friends and family, from all around the country, who shared their own personal blessings of living with Crohn's and colitis.

Annually celebrating IBD day is important. It embraces every single challenge that people with IBD face and raises awareness of Crohn's and colitis across the globe. This past May 19 was a day which allowed the team at Crohn's and Colitis New Zealand to bring to light another dimension of IBD that we might not usually consider when we initially think of our condition - the blessings and the achievements that comes with the sickness and pain.

Hon Dr Ayesha Verrall, the Minister of Health, graciously hosted the event, delivering an opening speech. This was followed by speeches from numerous other IBD representatives who expressed the blessings they encountered throughout their journey living with a chronic illness. I was privileged to be one of those speakers.

After the speeches, food platters and beverages quickly made their way around the room, and, soon enough, the hall chirped up with conversing guests, laughter, photos and the sharing of other personal stories expressing the many other blessings that come with living with a pretty extraordinary condition like Inflammatory Bowel Disease.

To the members of the IBD community, continue to cherish the 19th of May, as it is our annual day to celebrate our courage, strife, infinite resilience and our blessing of being a part of a courageously fierce and strong group of individuals.