Three years ago, if you had told me that I would be where I am today, I wouldn't have believed you. At that point I was sat in hospital, at the start of my second year off uni, about to go through surgery for a third time in just over a year.
Today, I feel as though things are back on track. My Crohn's Disease has been under control since my last operation; I graduated in August; and, thanks to this internship, I finally have some work experience.
The timing of my internship in the Scottish Parliament couldn't have been much better. In my three months here I've seen the final stages of the referendum campaign, its aftermath, and the beginning of a leadership election. I couldn't have chosen a more exciting time if I had tried.
That's not to say that I've only been watching. From the first day of my internship Neil has kept me as involved as anyone else in the office, and that really has boosted my confidence. I've been able to write press releases, articles, motions, and even speeches that have been read in Parliament; at the same time as I've worked on Labour's Health Inequalities Commission and Social Care Review.
I got an even bigger boost, though, when Neil offered to keep me on for another six weeks to give him some extra help during his leadership campaign.
My Crohn's Disease may have been the reason he took me on in the first place, but there was no obligation on his part to give me a job beyond that twelve week placement. The fact that he did, I think, proves the premise of Crohn's & Colitis UK's programme.
So, to anyone who is where I was three years ago, I would say that there definitely is light at the end of the tunnel.
Life is going to carry on, despite your IBD. There is absolutely no need to let it hold you back, and no reason to let it curb your ambition.
Still, I know that I wouldn't have been able to get back on track without Crohn's & Colitis UK's political internship scheme. Programmes like this make up for the opportunities that are lost when you're ill, and I can't say how much I appreciate that.
I became aware of IBD over the last year when a friend of mine's daughter was diagnosed with Colitis. So I've seen first-hand how serious an impact it can have on a person's life.
Having employed Matthew for the last three months though, I have no reason to believe that either Crohn's Disease or Colitis are an obstacle to succeeding in this kind of job.
Matthew has been a fantastic addition to my office team and I would recommend him to any employer.
Neil Findlay
MSP
Crohn's & Colitis UK's internship programme, supported by an educational grant from Abbvie, has been successful in giving four young members of the charity an insight into the workings of politics.
The programme aims to increase understanding of Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD), raise participants' self-esteem and confidence and demonstrate the realities of living and working with IBD to decision makers in England, Scotland and Wales.
Successful previous applicants, like Matthew, have been given the opportunity to support a politician's work at constituency and national level, gaining new skills and vital work experience.
