My journey began when I received a routine bowel screening kit through the post. I completed the kit, and was then told I needed to come in for further checks, which in time, revealed I had Crohn's. In retrospect, I can now recognise that I did have symptoms of Crohn's, such as loose stools.  I was reassured I would be fast tracked, and should see a specialist team soon. Unfortunately, this 'soon' turned into a 12 month wait. During this time my health just deteriorated. An avid blind piano player, I was planning on filming for Channel 4 and Claudia Winkelman's TV show: The Piano. I remember how tiring it all felt, and it was becoming clearer and clearer to me then, just how unwell I must be. 

Still waiting for official help, I started to undertake my own research. I soon learned what a minefield this can be. There's so much information, so many different 'cures' and 'gurus' telling you what to do or what diet to follow. I'm thankful I found Crohn's & Colitis UK as a trusted source of information amongst it all. 

I knew things were also getting worse, when during a stay at my mother's house, one of her carers told her to watch out for her son. They told my mum they had noticed blood in her toilet. Obviously being blind, this was something I hadn't been able to spot. On the train back home, with my guide dog Kevin, I had what I thought was going to be my first experience of an accident. The train was packed, and unfortunately nobody was offering me assistance or a place to sit. I urgently needed the toilet and had to fight through the crowds of standing passengers to try and locate one. Although I did make it in time, I remember the fear and panic which felt horrible.

Unfortunately, I did then experience an accident. I was out shopping in the supermarket, with Kevin by my side and an assistant from the shop, who was kindly helping me with my shopping. I suddenly felt an unbearable urge to go to the toilet. I was frozen in shock and fear, and unfortunately it happened. I was felt absolutely devastated and overwhelmed, but I didn't say anything to the assistant and left the shop. As I was leaving the shop, it happened again. A few hundred yards from home, I could tell it was about to happen for a third time. In my mind I suddenly pictured younger Shaun, who was able to see. I pictured him running into the house to go to the toilet. I felt so broken that I was unable to do this. I begged Kevin to help me, and he understood. He sped up and guided me swiftly inside. I cleaned myself up, and in extreme pain, also called an ambulance. 

The hospital staff absolutely loved Kevin, which was a theme I would experience time and time again during each admission. I was given medication and began treatment for my Crohn's at home. Unfortunately, this didn't seem to help much.

I was still going to the toilet 15-20 times a day, and things got worse one afternoon whilst I was showering. I realised I couldn't feel or use my arm or hand, and after doctor confirmation that there was no pulse, I was admitted to hospital. There I was told I needed surgery, and I had a blood clot in my arm. Although not certain, one clinician told me the clot could have due to my Crohn's. I told them 'if you can't save my arm, please let me go.' Without the use of my arm, I wouldn't be able to play guitar, piano, dance or have Kevin, and felt utterly hopeless about the prospect of a life like that. Thankfully, the surgery was successful, and my arm was saved. 

I've since been told I have 22 inches of disease in my bowel, and I've been on infusions every 8 weeks, since. So far the infusions have worked a lot better than every other medication I have tried. I still have down days, where I've felt very fatigued and tired. I've managed to push through, and was even persuaded by my dance teacher to go for my gold award in ballroom dancing. Four Latin dances later, I had received an 88% score and my gold. Life still isn't always easy, but I'm reminded every day by Kevin how much joy there can be in the world. 

I don't think I'd be where I am now without Kevin. Not only has he helped me so much in my journey, it has been wonderful sharing him with the hospital staff and other patients, and I think that so many more people deserve to experience the joy a dog can bring. I'd love to see more therapy dogs being used for IBD patients.