My name is Sawyer, and I’m 12 years old. I love soccer, robotics, and hanging out with my dog, Kona. But something else that’s a big part of my life? Crohn’s disease.
I was diagnosed when I was 9, but my symptoms started long before that. I was always exhausted, had stomach pain all the time, and wasn’t growing like my twin brother, Micah. My parents knew something wasn’t right, and after countless tests and doctor visits, my bloodwork came back showing that my numbers were off the charts and I had internal bleeding. That’s when I was admitted to the hospital for even more testing.
During my hospital stay, I met Dr. Koutouby, my incredible GI doctor. She took the time to explain everything to us and made sure we had the best care possible. She is kind and always talks to me directly instead of just to my parents. After a colonoscopy and endoscopy, we finally got the answer: Crohn’s disease.
At first, the treatments weren’t easy. I began Remicade (Inflectra), an IV infusion therapy that helps control my symptoms right away. This meant lots of hospital visits, which was overwhelming at first. But thanks to some amazing people—Nurse Stacy and Nurse Natalie from the IBD Infusion Clinic team and Nurse Roz from the Nicklaus IV Team—the process became a lot easier. They always made sure I was comfortable and answered all my questions.
Living with Crohn’s isn’t easy, but I’ve learned that staying positive helps a lot. One of the biggest ways I manage my Crohn’s is by following the Crohn’s Disease Exclusion Diet. This means avoiding certain foods to help reduce inflammation and keep my symptoms under control. It’s not always easy, but I know it helps me feel better, and that makes it worth it.
The biggest thing that has helped me is being part of the Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation. Through the Foundation, I’ve learned how to advocate for myself, and most importantly, had the chance to raise awareness and help fund research for better treatments and, hopefully, a cure.
That’s why I started Strides for Sawyer. I want to make sure that no kid has to go through this alone. I want to raise money for research, awareness, and support for the foundation so that one day, kids like me won’t have to worry about Crohn’s anymore.
I’m incredibly honored to be the 2025 Take Steps Hero for the Miami Walk, and I hope you’ll join me on April 26, 2025, at Regatta Park. Together, we can make a difference—one step at a time!
